VARIOUS ETHNIC IN MALAYSIA
Introduction
Having
an interesting past and being a part of the international spice route many
hundreds of years ago, Malaysia has turned into a mosaic of cultures.
Everything from its people to its architecture reflect a colorful heritage and
an varies culture. To understand Malaysian culture, you must first get to know
its people.
Discover a Land of Intriguing
Diversity
Malays,
Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups have lived together in Malaysia
for generation. All these three cultures are the main cultures in Malaysia and
have influenced each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture.
In
Sabah and Sarawak, there a varies of indigenous ethnic groups with their own
unique culture and heritage.
Malay
Today, the Malays, make up Malaysia's largest ethnic group, which
is more than 50% of the population. In Malaysia, the term Malay refers to a
person who practices Islam and Malay traditions and speaks the Malay language.
Their conversion to Islam from Hinduism and Buddhism began when the Sultan of
Melaka embraced it in the 14th Century. They are known for
their good mannerisms.
Chinese
The
second largest ethnic group, the Malaysian Chinese form 25% of the population.
Mostly descendents of Chinese immigrants during the 19th century, different
dialects are spoken. Hokkien is spoken mainly in the North, in Penang and
Cantonese in Kuala Lumpur. There are other dialects like Teochew and Hakka and
other smaller dialects such as Foochow, Henghua, Kwongsai, Hokchia and Hokchui.
Mandarin is widely spoken in the southern states. The Chinese are known for
their diligence and keen business sense.
Indians
The
Indians constitute 10% of the Malaysian population and is the third and
smallest of the three main ethic groups. Most are from Tamil Speaking South
India who immigrated to Malaysia during British colonial times. Mainly Hindus,
they brought their colourful cultures such as ornate temples, spicy cuisine and
exquisite sarees.
East
Malaysia
In
East Malaysia, the indigenous people of Sarawak are known as the Dayaks, the
Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. The largest indigenous ethnic groups of Sabah's population
are the Kadazan Dusun, the Bajau and the Murut.
·
Sarawak
Dayak
Dayak
means upstream or inland. Typically, they live in longhouses traditional
community homes that can house 20 to 100 families.
Iban
Iban
is the largest of Sarawak's ethnic groups with over 30% of the state's
population. In the past, they were a fearsome warrior race known for
headhunting and piracy. Sometimes wrongly called Sea Dayaks for their boating
skills, they live in the heart of Kalimantan.
Bidayuh
The
Bidayuh are peace loving and easy going but ironically have a history of
headhunting. Their roundhouses are mainly located in Sarawak's mountainous
regions.
Orang Ulu
Orang
Ulu are the upriver tribes of Sarawak. Artistically inclined, their longhouses
are ornately decorated with woodcarvings and murals. Their utensils are
embellished with intricate beadwork; and aristocratic ladies cover their body
with finely detailed tattoos.
·
Sabah
Sabah’s
indigenous people include Kadazan-Dusun, Kwijau, Murut, Bajau, Illanun, Lotud,
Rungus, Tambanuo, Dumpas, Mangka’ak, Suluk, Illocano, Orang Sungai, Brunei,
Kedayan, Tagalog, Bisaya, Tidong, Indonesian, Maragang, Orang Cocos, Paitan,
Ida’an, Minoko, Rumanau, Serani, Chinese of mixed bumibutra parentage and
Filipino of mixed bumiputra parentage.
Kadazan Dusun
The
largest ethnic group of Sabah, the Kadazan Dusuns form about 30% of the state's
population. Actually consisting of two tribes; the Kadazan and the Dusun, they
were grouped together as they both share the same language and culture.
However, the Kadazan are mainly inhabitants of flat valley deltas, which are
conducive to paddy field farming, while the Dusun traditionally lived in the
hilly and mountainous regions of interior Sabah.
Bajau
The
second largest ethnic group in Sabah, the Bajaus make up about 15% of the
state's population. Historically, a nomadic sea-faring people that worshipped
the Omboh Dilaut of God of the Sea, they are sometimes referred to as the Sea
Gypsies. Those who chose to leave their sea-faring ways become farmers and
cattle breeders. These land Bajaus are nicknamed 'Cowboys of the East' in
tribute to their impressive equestrian skills, which are publicly displayed in
the annual Tamu Besar festival at Kota Belud.
Murut
Murut
means ‘Men of the Hills’ and they are the third largest ethnic group in Sabah,
making up about 3% of the state's population. Traditionally inhabiting the
northern inland regions of Borneo, they were the last of Sabah's ethnic groups
to renounce headhunting. Now, they are mostly shifting cultivators of hill
paddy and tapioca, supplementing their diet with blowpipe hunting and fishing.
Like most indigenous tribes in Sabah, their traditional clothing is decorated
with distinctive beadwork. ‘Kaansayan Minatong’ means welcome in Murut
language.
