Page 46 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

42 CULTURE, ARTS & HERITAGE
Kaleidoscope of Culture
Jutting, pendant-
like, from the Asian continent into the heart of Southeast Asia, the Malay Peninsula is positioned directly on the ancient trade routes between China, India and the Middle East. The Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak dominate the sea routes of the South China and Sulu Seas.
Thus Malaysia has historically been a crossroads of peoples and cultures.
Malaysia’s cultural heritage dates back
This family group photo taken in 19th Century Melaka blends Malay, Javanese and Indian sartorial styles, illustrating the rich cultural mix of the Colonial Era.
to prehistoric times - it is the location of Southeast Asia’s oldest modern human remains, as much as 40,000 years old. Waves of traders, missionaries, colonialists and immigrants, attracted by its natural wealth
and beauty, have added layers of history to the country.
This interaction culminated in the fabulous 15th Century Malaccan (Melaka) Empire. A legacy of trade brought people from China, India,
The Niah Great Cave in Sarawak, site of the oldest known human culture in Southeast Asia.