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Orang Asli

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Orang Asli
Orang Asli near Cameron Highlands playing a nose flute.
Total population
148,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Malaysia
Languages
Aslian languages, Malay language
Religion
Animism, Islam, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Semang, Senoi, and Proto Malay

Orang Asli (lit, "original peoples" or "aboriginal peoples" in Malay) is a general term used for any indigenous groups that are found in Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into three main tribal groups – Semang (negrito), Senoi, and Proto-Malay (Aboriginal Malay). The Orang Asli are further divided into 18 sub-ethnic group according to their different languages and customs. The Negritos are usually found in the northern region of the peninsula, the Senois in the central region, and the Proto-Malay in the southern region. There is an Orang Asli museum at Gombak, which is about 25 km north of Kuala Lumpur.

History

Orang Asli kept to themselves until the first traders from India arrived in first millennium AD. Living in the interior they bartered in land products like resins, incense woods and feathers for salt, cloth and iron tools. The rise of the Malay sultanates, coinciding with trade in Orang Asli slave, forced the group to retreat further inland to avoid contact with outsiders. The arrival of British colonists brought further inroads in the lives of Orang Asli. They were the target of Christian missionary and subjects of anthropological research.[2]

During the Malayan Emergency of 1948 to 1960, the Orang Asli became a vital component of national security, as with their help, the Malaysian army was able to defeat the communist insurgents. Two administrative initiatives were introduced to highlight the importance of Orang Asli as well to protect its identity. The initiatives were the establishment of the Department of Aborigines in 1950, and the enactment of the Aboriginal Peoples Ordinance in 1954. After independence, the development of Orang Asli become the prime objective of the government where the government adopted a policy in 1961 to integrate the Orang Asli into the wider Malaysian society.[2]

Within the decades of 1970s and 1980s, Malaysia was in the period of sustained growth. With development that emphasize modernization and industrialization, new lands were developed. This development has resulted in encroachments on Orang Asli land. In response of this encroachment, the Orang Asli mobilized themselves and formed the Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli Association (POASM). With this association, the Orang Asli has become more visible and vocal.[2]

Demography

‡ Excluding those living in designated Orang Asli settlements which would amount to about 20,000 more people.
Orang Asli population by groups and subgroups (2000)[3]
Semang Senoi Aboriginal Malay
Bateq (1,519) Che Wong (234) Jakun (21,484)
Jahai (1,244) Jahut (2,594) Orang Kanaq (73)
Kensiu (254) Mah Meri (3,503) Orang Kuala (3,221)
Kintak (150) Semai (34,248) Orang Seletar (1,037)
Lanoh (173) Semoq Beri (2,348) Semelai (5,026)
Mendriq (167) Temiar (17,706) Temuan (18,560)
3,507 60,633 49,401
Total: 113,541‡

In 2000, the Orang Asli comprise only 0.5% of the total population in Malaysia.[4] Their population is approximately 148,000.[5] The largest group are the Senois, constituting about 54% of the total Orang Asli population. The Proto-Malays form 43%, and the Semang forming 3%.[5]

Languages

The division of Orang Asli into three categories are not due to linguistic differences but merely sociological. The Semelai language, for example, is part of the Austro-Asiatic language group, whereas the other Proto-Malay groups, such as the Temuan language, are part of the Austronesian language group. The Semelai and other Orang Asli sub-ethnics speak languages classified as Aslian language. This is further divided into the Jahaic languages (North Aslian), Senoic languages, Semelaic languages (South Aslian), and Jah Hut.[6] The languages which fall under the Jahaic language group are the Che Wong, Jahai, Bateq, Kensiu, Kintak, and Menriq languages. The Lanoh language, Temiar language, and Semai language fall into the Senoic language category. Languages that fall into the Semelaic group include the Semelai language, Semoq Beri language, and Besisi language (language spoken by the Mah Meri group).

Besides these, some Orang Asli also speak the Malay language, the official language of Malaysia.

Lifestyle and religion

Location of Orang Asli groups, and the evolution of settlers on the Malay Peninsula.

Orang Asli are traditionally animists, where they believe in the presence of spirits in various objects.[7] However, in the 21st century, many of them have embraced monotheistic religions such as Islam and Christianity[7] following some active state-sponsored dakwah by Muslims, and evangelism by Christian missionaries.[8]

In June 2007, an Orang Asli church was allegedly torn down by the government in Gua Musang, Kelantan. As of 2008, a suit has been filed against the authorities. The affected Orang Asli also sought a declaration under Article 11 of the Constitution of Malaysia that they have the right to practice the religion of their choice and to build their own prayer house.[9]

Negritos of Peninsular Malaysia

Main article: Semang

According to the Encyclopedia of Malaysia, the Negritos, who number approximately 2,000, are regarded as the earliest inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula. They are of Australo-Melanesian affinity and probably descend from the people of Hoabinhian cultural period, with many of their burials found dating back 10,000 years ago. They speak the Aslian languages which is part of the Austro-Asiatic language family, as do their Senoi agriculturalist neighbours. Negritos belong to various subgroups, namely the Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Jahai, Mendriq and Bateq. Those from Perak, Kedah and Pahang are also known as Semang, the meaning of "Semang" is debt slaves, while those from Kelantan and Terengganu were called Pangan, the forest peoples. The Senoi and Proto-Malay arrived much later probably during the Neolithic period.

An Orang Asli in Taman Negara starting fire the traditional way.

The government agency entrusted to oversee the affairs of the Orang Asli is the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli (Department of Orang Asli Affairs) (JHEOA). This body is under the Malaysian Ministry of Rural Development, and it was first set up in 1954.[10] Among its stated objectives are to eradicate poverty among the Orang Asli, improving their health, promoting education, and improving their general livelihood. There is a high incidence of poverty among the Orang Asli. In 1997, 80% of all Orang Asli lived below the poverty line. This ratio is extremely high compared to the national poverty rate of 8.5% at that time.[11]

Some legislations which concerns Orang Asli are the National Land Code 1965, Land Conservation Act 1960, Protection of Wildlife Act 1972, National Parks Act 1980, and most importantly the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954. The Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 provides for the setting up and establishment of the Orang Asli Reserve Land. However, the Act also includes the power accorded to the Director-General of the JHEOA to order Orang Asli out of such reserved land at its discretion, and award compensation to affected people, also at its discretion.[12] A landmark case on this matter is in the 2002 case of Sagong Tasi v. Government of Selangor. The case was concerned with the state using its powers conferred under the 1954 Act to evict Orang Asli from gazetted Orang Asli Reserve Land. The High Court ruled in favour of Sagong Tasi, who represented the Orang Asli, and this decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal.[12]

The Orang Asli are theoretically classified as Bumiputras,[8] a status signifying indigeneity to Malaysia which carries certain social, economic, and political rights, along with the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Center for Orang Asli Concerns
  2. ^ a b c "Indigenous Politics, Development and Identity in Peninsular Malaysia: the Orang Asli and the Contest for Resources" (PDF). Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  3. ^ "Orang Asli Population Statistics". Center for Orang Asli Concerns. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  4. ^ Gomes, Aleberto G. "The Orang Asli of Malaysia" (PDF). International Institute for Asian Studies. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  5. ^ a b "Origins, Identity and Classification". Center for Orang Asli Concerns. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  6. ^ "Aslian language family tree". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  7. ^ a b "Orang Asli". Adherents.com. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  8. ^ a b Nicholas, Colin. "Orang Asli and the Bumiputra policy". Center for Orang Asli Concerns. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  9. ^ "Orang Asli file suit over church demolition". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
  10. ^ http://www.ipieca.org/activities/biodiversity/downloads/workshops/feb_04/Session5/Abd_Hamid_JHEOA.pdf.
  11. ^ http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/4990/CH4IND.htm
  12. ^ a b "The Law on Natural Resource Management". Center for Orang Asli Concerns. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

Other references

  • Orang Asli Now: The Orang Asli in the Malaysian Political World, Roy Jumper (ISBN 07618-1441-8).
  • Power and Politics: The Story of Malaysia's Orang Asli, Roy Jumper (ISBN 0-7618-0700-4).
  • 1: Malaysia and the Original People, p. 21. Robert Denton, Kirk Endicott, Alberto Gomes, M.B. Hooker. (ISBN 0-205-19817-1).
  • Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Vol. 4: Early History, p. 46. Edited by Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman (ISBN 981-3018-42-9).
  • Abdul Rashid, M. R. b. H., Jamal Jaafar, & Tan, C. B. (1973). Three studies on the Orang Asli in Ulu Perak. Pulau Pinang: Perpustakaan Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  • The Department of Orang Asli Affairs is responsible for the administration, development and welfare of the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia.
  • Magickriver.net is a collective of concerned citizens for the various Orang Asli tribes which has produced videos and articles about the lives of the Orang Asli who languish under the responsibility of the Department of Orang Asli Affairs.
  • Website of the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) NGO which has presented authoritative articles to the Commonwealth regarding the plight of the Orang Asli tribes. Includes alternative and challenging commentary on the Malaysian government's marginalisation of the Orang Asli.
  • Senoipraaq.com is the website of Roy Davis Linville Jumper who has authored several books about the Orang Asli and their jungle fighting skills.
  • The Orang Asli Archive is a small collection of online resources about the Orang Asli and hosted by the Mason Library of Keene State College.
  • Temuan Web Page Orang Asli Temuan Webpage
  • The Orang Kanak of Johore (The smallest group of Orang Asli)
  • Sri Gumum provides information (history, legends, slide shows) on the Orang Asli Jakun around Tasik Chini
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