Many races and traditions combine to make one country — the United States isn’t the only nation that can be described in this way.

The opportunity to experience sights, sounds and cuisines of Malaysia will be offered to the public during Malaysian Cultural Night at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Malaysia is a democratic country in Southeast Asia populated by 25 million people.

Chinese, Indian and Malay are the predominant races that make up the country.

The Malaysian Students’ Association will share the country’s traditions with the people of Ames.

“Our purpose is to introduce and educate the community about Malaysian culture and customs, as well as our food and performances,” said Nurhidayah Azmy, senior in construction engineering.

Following a cultural display in the Memorial Union hotel lobby, a Malay wedding ceremony will be re-enacted.

This involves a blessing offered to the “bride and groom” by the guests of honor, including some who traveled a great distance.

“What’s special about our event this year is the Malaysian ambassador from Washington, D.C. will be coming for the first time ever,” Azmy said.

The ambassador, Dato Sheikh Abdul Khalid Ghazzali and ISU President Gregory Geoffroy will be among those attending the celebration.

In addition to witnessing a wedding portrayal, there will be five traditional dance performances.

“The first one will be a Chinese line dance,” Azmy said.

“Then a Malay dance, which is an interpretation dance.”

The traditional Malay dance tells the tale of a sick person who is healed by a fairy, Azmy said.

The cultural performances throughout the night will serve to entertain and build attendees’ appetites for dinner, Azmy said.

“Since we have so many races, Malaysian food is influenced by Malay, Chinese and Indian food,” Azmy says.

The menu for the evening features roti canai, a popular flat bread that is fried and eaten with curry chicken.

A rice dish, known as nasi lemak, will also be served, along with two other Malaysian dishes and a dessert.

The Malaysian Cultural Night also serves as a philanthropic event.

“Every time we do the Malaysian Cultural Night, there is a beneficiary,” said Royson Chong, senior in computer engineering.

In past years, the event has raised money for organizations, such as the Red Cross.

This year, the United Way of Story County will receive the proceeds.

“[The United Way] funds specific programs directly, rather than letting the money go through administrative costs first,” Chong said.

Tickets for the event are $7 for students and $10 for the general public.