Introduction
Having had 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 colourful heritage and an amalgamated 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 generations. All these cultures have influenced
each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture.
The largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese and
Indians. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are a myriad of indigenous ethnic
groups with their own unique culture and heritage.
Malay
Today, the Malays, Malaysia's largest ethnic group, make up more than
50% of the population, although this drops to less than 25% in East
Malaysia. In Malaysia, the term Malay refers to a person who practices
Islam and Malay traditions, speaks the Malay language and whose
ancestors are Malays. Their conversion to Islam from Hinduism and
Theravada Buddhism began in the 1400s, largely influenced by the
decision of the royal court of Melaka. The Malays are known for their
gentle mannerisms and rich arts heritage.
Chinese
The second largest ethnic group, the Malaysian Chinese form about 25% of
the population. Mostly descendants of Chinese immigrants during the
19th century, the Chinese are known for their diligence and keen
business sense. The three sub-groups who speak a different dialect of
the Chinese language are the Hokkien who live predominantly on the
northern island of Penang; the Cantonese who live predominantly in the
capital city Kuala Lumpur; and the Mandarin-speaking group who live
predominantly in the southern state of Johor.
In Sarawak this 25% is made up of a mix of dialect groups including
Foochow, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew, Hainanese and Puxian Min while in
Sabah the population of Chinese drops to around 10% who predominantly
speak the Hakka language.
Indian
The smallest of three main ethnic groups, the Malaysian Indians form
about 10% of the population. Most are descendants of Tamil-speaking
South Indian immigrants who came to the country during the British
colonial rule. Lured by the prospect of breaking out of the Indian caste
system, they came to Malaysia to build a better life. Predominantly
Hindus, they brought with them their colourful culture such as ornate
temples, spicy cuisine and exquisite sarees.
Indigenous Ethnic Groups
Peninsula Malaysia
The general term used for any of the indigenous groups that are found in
Peninsular Malaysia is ‘Orang Asli’ which literally translates as the
‘original people’. They are divided into three main tribal groups:
Negrito, Senoi and Proto-Malay. The Negrito usually live in the north,
the Senoi in the middle and the Proto-Malay in the south. Each group or
sub-group has its own language and culture. Some are fishermen, some
farmers and some are semi-nomadic.
Sabah
The largest indigenous ethnic groups of Sabah's population are the Kadazan Dusun, the Bajau and the Murut.
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 or God of the Sea, they are sometimes
referred to as the Sea Gypsies. Those who chose to leave their
sea-faring ways became 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
The third largest ethnic group in Sabah the Muruts make 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.
Sarawak
Collectively known as Dayaks, the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu are the
major ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak. Typically, they live in
longhouses, traditional community homes that can house 20 to 100
families.
Iban
The largest of Sarawak's ethnic groups, the Ibans form 30% of the
State's population of 2.5 million. Sometimes erroneously referred to as
the Sea Dayaks because of their skill with boats, they are actually an
upriver tribe from the heart of Kalimantan. In the past, they were a
fearsome warrior race renowned for headhunting and piracy.
Traditionally, they worship a triumvirate of gods under the authority of
Singalang Burung, the bird-god of war. Although now mostly Christians,
many traditional customs are still practised.
Bidayuh
Peace-loving and easy-going, the gentle Bidayuh are famous for their
hospitality and tuak or rice wine. Making their homes in Sarawak's
southern regions, they are mostly farmers and hunters. In their past
headhunting days their prized skulls were stored in a 'baruk‘, a
roundhouse that rises about 1.5 metres above the ground. Originally
animists, now most of the 200,000 strong population have converted to
Christianity.
Melanau
Some 130,000 or 6% of the population of Sarawak are Melanau, believed to
be among the original people to settle in Sarawak. Their language has
different origins to the other ethnic groups of the state and today they
are found mainly along the rivers and coastal plains of central
Sarawak. Originally animists most have converted to Islam although some
of the inland communities are Christian.
Orang Ulu
27 of the inland tribal groups of Sarawak are collectively called Orang
Ulu or upriver people. A total estimated population of around 100,000
people belong to tribes varied in size from 300 to 25,000 individuals.
Arguably Borneo's most artistic people, their large longhouses are
ornately decorated with murals and superb woodcarvings; their utensils
are embellished with intricate beadwork. Traditional tattoos are a very
important part of their culture; aristocratic Orang Ulu ladies also
cover their arms and legs with finely detailed tattoos.
The aboriginal Penan people are also included as Orang Ulu by government
census but the Penan are traditionally nomadic people living in small
family groups constantly moving from place to place within the
rainforest. Today most of the estimated 16,000 Penan people have settled
in longhouse communities where their children have the chance to go to
school.
Like the Iban and Bidayuh, most of the Orang Ulu have converted from
animism to Christianity or Islam.
