Asian

Philippines
The culture of the Philippines comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic
traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family
oriented and often religious with an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.

Filipinos are also hospitable people who love to have a good time. This often includes
getting together to sing, dance, and eat. The annual calendar is packed with festivals, many
of which combine costumes and rituals from the nation’s pre-Christian past with the Catholic
beliefs and ideology of present day.

Cambodian
The Angkorian architects and sculptors created temples that mapped the cosmic world in stone.
Khmer decorations drew inspiration from religion, and mythical creatures from Hinduism and
Buddhism were carved on walls. Temples were built in accordance to the rule of ancient Khmer
architecture that dictated that a basic temple layout include a central shrine, a courtyard, an
enclosing wall, and a moat. Khmer motifs use many creatures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology,
like the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, use motifs such as the garuda, a mythical bird in Hinduism.
The architecture of Cambodia developed in stages under the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 15th
century, preserved in many buildings of the Angkor temple. The remains of secular architecture from
this time are rare, as only religious buildings were made of stone. The architecture of the Angkor
period used specific structural features and styles, which are one of the main methods used to date
the temples, along with inscriptions.
In modern rural Cambodia, the nuclear family typically lives in a rectangular house that may vary in
size from four by six meters to six by ten meters. It is constructed of a wooden frame with gabled
thatch roof and walls of woven bamboo. Khmer houses are typically raised as much as three meters
on stilts for protection from annual floods. Two ladders or wooden staircases provide access to the
house. The steep thatch roof overhanging the house walls protects the interior from rain. Typically a
house contains three rooms separated by partitions of woven bamboo. The front room serves as a
living room used to receive visitors, the next room is the parents' bedroom, and the third is for
unmarried daughters. Sons sleep anywhere they can find space. Family members and neighbors
work together to build the house, and a house-raising ceremony is held upon its completion. The
houses of poorer persons may contain only a single large room. Food is prepared in a separate
kitchen located near the house but usually behind it. Toilet facilities consist of simple pits in the
ground, located away from the house, that are covered up when filled. Any livestock is kept below
the house. Chinese and Vietnamese houses in Cambodian towns and villages are typically built
directly on the ground and have earthen, cement, or tile floors, depending upon the economic status
of the owner. Urban housing and commercial buildings may be of brick, masonry, or wood
Indonesia
Religious Beliefs. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any nation, and in 1990 the
population was reported to be 87 percent Muslim. There is a well-educated and influential
Christian minority (about 9.6 percent of the population in 1990), with about twice as many
Protestants as Catholics. The Balinese still follow a form of Hinduism. Mystical cults are well
established among the Javanese elite and middle class, and members of many ethnic groups still
follow traditional belief systems. Officially the government recognizes religion (agama) to
include Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, while other belief systems are called just
that, beliefs (kepercayaan). Those who hold beliefs are subject to conversion; followers of
religion are not. Belief in ancestral spirits, spirits of diverse sorts of places, and powerful relics
are found among both peasants and educated people and among many followers of the world
religions; witchcraft and sorcery also have their believers and practitioners. The colonial regime
had an uneasy relationship with Islam, as has the Indonesian government. The first of the Five
Principles extols God (Tuhan), but not Allah by name. Dissidents have wanted to make Indonesia
a Muslim state, but they have not prevailed.
The Javanese are predominantly Muslim, though many are Catholic or Protestant, and many
Chinese in Java and elsewhere are Christian, mainly Protestant. The Javanese are noted for a
less strict adherence to Islam and a greater orientation to Javanese religion, a mixture of Islam
and previous Hindu and animist beliefs. The Sundanese of West Java, by contrast, are ardently
Muslim. Other noted Muslim peoples are the Acehnese of North Sumatra, the first Indonesians
to become Muslim; the Minangkabau, despite their matriliny; the Banjarese of South
Kalimantan; the Bugis and Makassarese of South Sulawesi; the Sumbawans of the Lesser Sunda
Islands; and the people of Ternate and Tidor in Maluku.
The Dutch sought to avoid European-style conflict between Protestants and Catholics by
assigning particular regions for conversion by each of them. Thus today the Batak of Sumatra,
the Dayak of Kalimantan, the Toraja and Menadonese of Sulawesi, and the Ambonese of Maluku
are Protestant; the peoples of Flores and the Tetun of West Timor are Catholic.

Myanmar
Buddhism has been a part of Myanmar’s culture since the 1st century CE and has blended with
non-Buddhist beliefs. The most conspicuous manifestation of Buddhist culture is the magnificent
architecture and sculpture of Myanmar’s many temples and monasteries, notably those
at Yangon, Mandalay, and Pagan (Bagan), the site of the ancient kingdom of west-central
Myanmar. Myanmar’s culture also is an amalgam of royal and common traditions. Although
the dramatictraditions of the Burman court might have appeared to be dying after the elimination
of the monarchy in the late 19th century, the tradition survived in a nonroyal context, among the
masses. With the growth of nationalism and the regaining of independence, it gathered new
strength. The most popular dramatic form is the pwe, which is performed outdoors. There are a
variety of pwegenres, including both human and puppet theatre, and most draw subject matter
from the Jataka tales—stories of the former lives of the Buddha.
Malaysia
Malaysia's most prominent holy place is the National Mosque, built in the
heart of Kuala Lumpur in 1965. Its strategic position emphasizes the
country's Islamic identity. Countrywide, the daily call to prayer from the
mosques amplifies the rhythm of Islamic rituals in the country, as does the
procession of the faithful to fulfill their prayers. Reminders of prayer times
are included in television programs and further highlight the centrality of
Islam in Malaysia. Important holidays include the birth of the Prophet and the
pilgrimage to Mecca, all of which hold a conspicuous place in the media. The
month of fasting, Ramadan, includes acts of piety beyond the customary
refraining from food and drink during daylight hours and is followed by a
great celebration. Non-Muslim religious buildings, practices, and holidays
have a smaller public life in Malaysia. Part of this is due to fewer believers in
the country, and part is due to public policy which limits the building of
churches and temples along with the broadcasting of non-Muslim religious
services. The important non-Muslim holidays include Christmas, Deepavali
(the Hindu festival of light), and Wesak day (which celebrates the life of the
Buddha). The Hindu holiday of Thaipussam merits special attention, because
devotees undergo spectacular rites of penance before vast numbers of
spectators, most dramatically at the famous Batu Caves, located in the bluffs
outside of Kuala Lumpur.

Brunei
The role of face, shame and honour is crucial to Bruneians. Consequently they are very polite
and well-mannered. Maintaining face is of upmost importance and they do their best not to
cause issues or problems which could jeopardize this. In order to maintain face their
communication style is very indirect and can come across as somewhat ambiguous to those
from a culture where direct communication is the norm. By being indirect Bruneians avoid
embarrassing another person, which would cause that person to lose face. Most Bruneians find
emotions such as impatience, anger, or irritation embarrassing and try to avoid them since
expressing them could result in a loss of face and disharmony.

Laos
The Baci ceremony is held any day of the year because it has a specific meaning in someone’s
life. And usually, this celebration is held at noon so people can easily join with local people.
During the Baci rite, there is an important ritual that is kwan. Lao people believe that in their
bodies they are a coalition of three bodies, and kwan plays the role of protecting each of them.
Because all kwan is usually the cause of the diseases, the Baci ceremony calls the kwan or
spirits from wherever they can move, and return to the body, then securing them in place. The
rite was carried out by an elderly person in the village and they had been a Buddhist for some
time. The pah kwan or flower trays are well prepared by the people to ensure the ceremony is
celebrated in the most respectable way. Normally, pah wan is prepared by older women in the
family. A special thing for flowers, they are decorated with many different colors with many
meanings for example dok huk is a symbol for love, dok sampi is a long life, dok daohuang is
happiness and so on.

At the end of the Baci ceremony, there is a small party for the guests. They will be savored
some bowls of traditional local rice wine. Next, visitors can immerse themselves in the music
along with the traditional Lao dance.

Thailand
Much of Thailand’s culture comes from the ethnic Thai people. One of the most important influences
on Thai culture has been Buddhism. Many of the traditions and beliefs of the people in Thailand
stem directly from Buddhist principles. Hinduism has also made important contributions to Thai
culture, and the close links between Thailand and India can be seen in art, literature, and in many
Thai customs. The cultures of nearby Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China have also played an
important role in forming the traditions of Thailand, as have indigenous belief systems such as
Animism. Of Thailand’s nearly 70 million people, roughly two thirds are from Thai ethnic groups.
Although the ethnic Thai people can be divided into dozens of different subgroups, their traditions,
languages, and cultures differ only slightly. This leads to a population with a strong sense of shared
traditions and cultural identity.
The remaining third of the population is made up primarily of Chinese, as well as various minorities
including Vietnamese, Khmer, Hmong, and Mein. Even among these diverse ethnic groups, the Thai
language is widely spoken and understood, and the Thai script is often used in place of traditional
writing styles. Since the 1950s, Thailand’s government has made efforts to preserve
and strengthen the sense of national culture and national identity. During the 1980s and 1990s,
however, Thailand saw a resurgence in local culture and traditions. Although there is still a strong
national identity, local food, dances, music, celebrations, and beliefs have begun to play a more
important role in Thai life.

Vietnam
The Vietnamese culture is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia and is heavily influenced by the
Chinese culture. After Vietnam attained independence from China in the 10th century, the
country began to expand southwards which led to the incorporation of elements of the Champa
and Khmer cultures into the Vietnamese culture. Later, French colonial rule in Vietnam
introduced the Western culture to the country and led to the spread of Catholicism and the
adoption of the Latin alphabet. Once the communist regime started in Vietnam, several
restrictions were placed over cultural exchanges with the Western civilization and instead
exposure to the cultures of other communist nations like Cuba, Soviet Union, and others was
encouraged. Despite the changes over the years, some elements of the Vietnamese culture like
the veneration of the ancestors, respect for family values, devotion to study, etc., remained
intact.