Malaysians are a funny lot. At home, we argue about things like which shop sells the best nasi lemak, which is the best football team and, of course, politics.
But when we’re abroad, we are united in many ways. It’s not just about the food we love and the language we speak but also the jokes and nuances that make us Malaysian.
Being away from home for months and years stirs a longing within us to be with people who best understand our background and culture. It’s not surprising then that Malaysian groups have popped up in cities like Berlin and Memphis (in Tennessee, the United States).
The Malaysia Club Berlin was founded 20 years ago to cultivate a sense of belonging within the Malaysian community there. Not only is the feeling of being home heightened as they have group gatherings, but older members of the organisation who have been in Berlin longer can help newcomers arriving in a new country.
“It is also good to know that many other Malaysians who have been in Berlin longer might have gone through similar experiences, especially when it comes to dealing with daily life challenges such as the bureaucracy, competitive apartment search, finding a suitable kindergarten or getting halal food,” says Ian J.T., the manager of Malaysia Club Berlin.
Members within the club strive to look out for one another, truly living up to the slogan “Kita Jaga Kita”.
The club’s activities mainly include going out for makan, having potluck gatherings and picnics, and celebrating major festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali.
Similarly, in Memphis, an informal Malaysian group called 901Malaysia (that’s the area code) was formed for social and support reasons. Just like Malaysia Club Berlin, this group also goes out to enjoy Malaysian delicacies, and sometimes even invites their non-Malaysian friends to try out Malaysian cuisines. They even have regular badminton sessions on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dr Cameila Johns, a member of this group, confides that although food is the main thing that encourages them to go out together, there’s something stronger that binds them.
“Being able to share memories and the common expressions in our language which only a Malaysian understands and connects with makes it feel like home when we meet and converse,” she explains.
When the group meets up, conversations inevitably have Malay, Chinese and Indian words – and the occasional lah – thrown in.
If the older members are there, jokes from the homeland will be included. Their children may not understand every word, but they’ve heard all the jokes before. That doesn’t stop them from laughing along, though.
“Malaysians, to me, are like family. When we interact, we feel quite at home. I also like that we don’t have to think of (skin) colour, religion or anything else because we have always socialised well and we’re comfortable being around other Malaysians. That itself sets us apart. We get along,” Dr Johns adds.
Earlier this year, the group held a Malaysian cultural celebration in the Germantown Community Library near Memphis.
A month later, there was a much larger event – the annual Memphis In May International Festival – where Malaysia was honoured. (The festival honours a specific foreign country every year.) The month-long festival celebrates music, food and culture.
Dancers, a chef and a band were flown in for the festival. Folk-rock band Azmyl and the Truly Asia performed on two evenings at the Beale Street Music Festival which also featured The Lumineers, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Greta Van Fleet, and more.
Dr Johns and others from 901Malaysia were invited by the organisers to participate and help out in the preparations.
“As a whole, it brought 901Malaysia a little closer,” Dr Johns shares. Not only was the group able to spend time together and provide a sense of belonging to one another, but they were also able to celebrate the achievements of their home country together and take pride in their nation of origin.
A few members went out of their way to make sure the visiting Malaysians were comfortable and even treated the band to dinner.
“I was truly proud of a bunch of Malaysian boys singing and playing on Beale Street,” says Dr Johns, who was at Handy Park on both days. She joined other 901Malaysia members who brought their Jalur Gemilang and kompang to cheer the boys on.
The food may be the attraction, but the stories, laughter and bonds are what keep the members coming back.
“It’s always a good feeling to know that you are not alone, when you have a community that understands your culture. We hang out just for makan and activities such as cycling or going to a movie. The takeaway here is probably just to have a sense of belonging – and that is to belong with the Malaysian community here,” explains Ian.
These Malaysians may have made their home in Berlin or Memphis, but it is obvious that Malaysia still holds a special place in their hearts. Sometimes just being around people with a similar background feels like “home”. The camaraderie is real and the laughter is louder. You don’t feel like you’re among friends; you feel like you’re with family.
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