The natural inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia are comprised of myriad tribes, each with their own unique traditions and cultural mores. However, as with most native peoples who have borne the brunt of colonial imperialism, the plurality of indigenous tribes are collectively referred to as “Orang Asli” (Malay for “Original” or “aboriginal people) are mistakenly regarded as a singular, homogenous group. There are, in fact, three major “Orang Asli” groups, all of which are made up of eighteen separate tribes.

The Semang Group

The Semang group found in the Northern territories of the Malaysian peninsular were at one time lumped alongside a great number of other isolated south east Asian tribes categorized under the rather derisive title of “Negrito” (because of their supposed darker, more Africanized appearance and complexion). The Semang are estimated to have continued their hunter-gathering nomadic practices ever since the 200’s ce, and are believed to be related to other tribes found in the Phillipines. Caves and shelters built of bark and leaves are the preferred abodes of the Semang and, in order to determine whether or not a camp location will be safe during the night, a kind of smoke ritual is performed.

The Senoi Group

The second, and largest, Orang Asli group is the Senoi of central peninsular Malaysia. The Senoi are believed to have migrated from southern Thailand around 4,500 years ago. One truly fascinating quality associated with the Senoi, and certainly one which has undergone a great deal of anthropological scrutiny, is their use of Lucid Dreaming: that is, the ability to “shape dreams” to suit the preferences of the dreamer. Though a great deal of debate continues to surround the subject of the Senoi’s dreaming, it is believed that by living aggressively and immersing themselves in pleasurable (though not necessarily hedonistic) practices, the tribesman attain a significant degree of mental control.  

The Proto-Malays

Finally, the Proto-Malays of the south were once greatly renowned for their seafaring and agricultural prowess. Proto-Malays have had a history of close interaction with Bornean Austronesian groups for around 2-3,000 years. The majority of Proto-Malay groups dwell in inland territories while some groups, like the Orang Kuala, have settled along coastal estuaries.  One proto-Malay group that has had a very pronounced impact on Malaysia’s history is the Orang Laut (“sea-people”). This maritime group, despite for a long time being comprised  of ruthless pirates that were the bane of merchants for centuries, gave invaluable services to the thalassocratic Srivijayan empire’s navy from the 8th to the 12th century. They also played a near vital protective role for the Malaccan Sultanate of the 15th century and the Johor Sultanate before eventually losing their position of eminence when the Bugis people of South Sulawesi gained more prominence in the Malayan peninsular during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Orang Asli – Animists

Like innumerable indigenous peoples the world over, the Orang Asli are largely animists and believe that even the most humble objects contain their own spirits that can affect the community for better or for worse. Many tribes still retain something of the mind-bogglingly extensive knowledge of forest flora and fauna that made them such a valuable ally for port traders looking to deal in exotic jungle produce. This extensive localized jungle knowledge is both a blessing and a curse for many Orang Asli tribes for although it is often put to invaluable use (e.g hunters will use the poison gathered from the ‘ipoh tree’ for hunting birds and monkeys), when tribes have been forcibly uprooted and placed in a new location, they have to build up this enormous body of information virtually from scratch. Because of their strong animist beliefs, Orang Asli tribes’ people are generally adamant that the animals they catch in the wild endure no pain for fear of the reprisal of the creature’s spirit.

Orang Asli Slavery

Bananas, sweet potato, long beans and cucumbers are just some of the foods which the Orang Asli have farmed and traded for generations. During wedding ceremonies among particular tribes, both the bride and groom have their teeth sharpened. This practice is believed to ward off misfortune. Sadly, these practices did not deter the Malay and Batak slave traders who raided villages and sold Orang Asli to local chieftains and rulers. Indeed, the indigenous people of Perak, Kedah and Pahang were long known as “Sekai” a word which means ‘slave’.  Though the slavery of Orang Asli was abolished under the British in 1884, many communities and tribes had been dealt lasting and irreparable damage. Orang Asli cooperation with the British continued during the emergency, when many provided food and information to the police forces. However, many Orang Asli gave their services to the communist insurgents and the relationship between the indigenous people and the British was certainly not always to the former’s benefit. In one tragic case, 200 Orang Asli reportedly died of heat-exhaustion and depression after having been herded into hastily built re-settlement camps.

Orang Asli land rights and status remains an exceedingly sensitive topic throughout the country. Though numerous protection acts and initiatives have been instigated, there remains a great deal of dissatisfaction among Orang Asli groups towards the ways in which their ancestral lands have been encroached upon.

Read more: The Indigenous People of Malaysia

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