The culture of Malaysia draws on the varied cultures of the different people of Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still remain;
they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia in ancient times. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when trade began with
those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British.
The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.

Malaysia is a multi–ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society, and the many ethnic groups in Malaysia maintain separate cultural identities.
The society of Malaysia has been described as "Asia in miniature".The original culture of the area stemmed from its indigenous tribes, along
with the Malays who moved there in ancient times. Substantial influence exists from the Chinese and Indian cultures, dating back to when trade
with those countries began in the area. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British. The structure
of the government, along with the racial balance of power caused by the idea of a social contract, has resulted in little incentive for the
cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities in Malaya and Malaysia.The government has historically made little distinction between
"Malay culture" and "Malaysian culture".