Orang Asli (Malay: "aboriginal people") is a general term used for any indigenous groups that are found in Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into three main tribal groups: Negrito, Senoi, and Proto-Malay.
Each group consists of various sub-groups. Negrito includes Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Jahai, Mandriq, and Batiq (Batek). Senoi includes Temiar, Semai, Semoq Beri, Jahut, Mah Meri, and Che Wong. Proto-Malay includes Temuan, Semelai, Jakun, Kanaq, Kuala, and Seletar. It must be noted that these subdivisions are sociological, and not linguistic. The Semelai, for example, speak an Austro-Asiatic language, whereas the other Proto-Malay groups speak Austronesian languages.
Negrito is usually found in the north, Senoi in the center, and Proto-Malay in the southern part of the Peninsula.
Despite being the indigenous population of Malaysia, they are discriminated against by Malaysian law, government and society as part of the Malaysian Bumiputra system.
Currently, there are 140,000 Orang Asli in Malaysia. 1/3 of them are Muslims.
Ethnic groups in Malaysia | Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the
"Orang Asli".
Home Page • arts • business • computers • games • health • hospitals • home • kids & teens • news • physicians • recreation• reference • regional • science • shopping • society • sports • world