DOCSLIB.ORG

The Impact of Che Wong Tribe Resettlement Through Image Representation: the Documentation of Che Wong Tribe at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang Pahang Malaysia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Impact of Che Wong Tribe Resettlement Through Image Representation: the Documentation of Che Wong Tribe at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang Pahang Malaysia DOI: 10.7763/IPEDR. 2012. V51. 40 The Impact of Che Wong Tribe Resettlement through Image Representation: The Documentation of Che Wong Tribe at Kuala Gandah, Lanchang Pahang Malaysia + Fadli Abdul Razak1 , Adzrool Idzwan Bin Ismail2, Kamarudzaman Bin Md Isa3, and Mustaffa Halabi Hj. Azahari4 1Art & Design, University Teknology MARA(UiTM), Malaysia Abstract. The Che Wong is one of the eighteenth original Orang Asli (aboriginal) people groups living in Peninsular Malaysia. They belong to the Senoi subgroup. The Che Wong is found in groups living near the villages of other races and also those still living in the tropical rainforest jungles. This research will focus specifically on Che Wong tribe living at Kuala Gandah near Lanchang, in the state of Pahang. Today the Che Wong lives predominantly in Government resettlement villages built in the year 2000. The core research question is whether this ethnic group of people still maintains their original cultural heritage even after the resettlement drive implement by the government. An investigation about the status of their cultural practices, art and heritages will be studied through participant-observation, documenting and preserving of evidence .The subjects will be interviewed and their daily routines will be recorded on camera. An Ethnography approach namely active participant observation will be using over a period of one-year study. The research findings will be beneficial to the local government and the young generations of Che Wong. Keywords: Che Wong, Resettlement, Image representation. 1. Introduction The Che Wong are one of the nineteen original Orang Asli people groups living in Peninsular Malaysia. They belong to the Senoi subgroup. The Che Wong are found in groups living near the villages of other races and those still living in the jungles. They are hunter-gatheres, and shift-cultivators. The outside world knows them as Che Wong, and they acknowledge this name in their dealing with outsiders, but among themselves they have no group name excepts “forest people” or just “us”. They speak an Aslian language of the Mon-Khmer language family.(Orang Asli Women of Malysia: Signe Howell 2006:p 65) Today the Che Wong numbers about 456 peoples. This research will focus specifically on the Che Wong tribe living at Kuala Gandah near Lanchang in the state of Pahang. Today the Che Wong’s live predominantly in Government resettlement villages built in the year 2000. (JHEOA 2012) 2. Research Problem From the interview with En.Musa, a Che Wong adult: "nowadays we recognized that the Che Wong youths feels that they are being more marginalized as a result of the effect of the resettlement of the Che Wong community by the government. The young people especially, are ashamed to wear their native loin-cloths, and even some of them did no longer know how to sing the songs sung at the traditional "Sewang" dance. The old methods of storytelling passed down from their ancestors are no longer practiced because the youth are no longer interested to listen. The bamboo handicrafts making and blowpipe hunting is no longer practiced because they are now earning their income from rubber tapping and harvesting wild rattans from the jungle for sales to the chinese middleman. (3rd. November 2011, Che Wong Tribe Kuala Gandah, Lanchang Pahang). According to the Che Wong Tok Batin or headman, En. Bakri Raja Teh, "we no longer need to bother to learn and make the handicrafts manually much like what we use to do in our huts before. We now use all the + Corresponding author. Tel.: +60355444001; fax: + 60355444011. E-mail address: [email protected]. 187 facilities that was provided to us for the common good.” (Utusan 15 Januari 2011, Menjana pendapatan Orang asli. The younger generations has already lost interest and have no desire to maintain the tradition of their native visual arts because they are now already exposed to outside modern influences and are having trouble maintaining their cultural identity. There is strong indicator that they will in the long term be facing with their ethnic social and cultural loss. This resettlement program has brought about the destruction of the cultural, historical and indigenous crafts identity of the Che Wong. 3. Methodology For this research, a qualitative research method will be adopted. An ethnographic approach will be implemented, where the researcher will be visiting and living with the Che Wong community over a period of one year of active participant-observation and data-collection approach The detailed research design will be developed asking specific research question to meet the research objectives, selection of population sampling as well as the research instruments that will be used and the procedures of data analysis later. Fig. 1: Research Structure. Fig. 2: Population of Che Wong Tribe : Source JABATAN KEBAJIKAN HAL EHWAL ORANG ASLI (JHEOA). The data collection steps include setting the boundaries for the study, collecting information through unstructured and semi-structured observations and interviews, documentation procedures and aquisition of visual materials, as well as establishing the protocol for recording information. (Research Design: Third edition John W.Creswell 2009.) 188 Fig. 3: Instrument. Fig 4: Che Wong settlement. Fig 5: Generations of Che Wong Tribe. 189 4. Conclusion Hopefully from this research, the younger generations will eventually have a documented source of reference and will not feel marginalized again. This research hoped that problems brought about by the resettlement programme will be reduced, and protect the indigenous people’s culture against the onslaughts and pressure of modernization. With the availability of reference materials such as video and print media it is possible to provide continuity of their ancestor’s stories (storytellers) of their people, and eventually maintaining the originality of their visual arts. 5. References [1] Paul B Means ( 2011 ) The Story Of Sengoi Mission [2] Csilla Dallos (2011) From Equalityto Inequality [3] Mary Warner Marien (2010) Photography: A Cultural History (3rd Edition) [4] Adam Kuper (2002), “The Return Of The Native,” Current Anthnopolgy,Vol 44, No 3 [5] Efficiency And Focus Of Blowpipe Hunting Among Semaq Beri Hunter-Gatherers Of Peninsular Malaysia ,Yukio Kuchikura - Human Ecology [6] Lye, Tuck-Poe (2002), “Forest People, Conservation Boundaries, And The Problem Of ‘Modernity’ In Malaysia,” In Geogffrey Benjamin And Cyntia Chou, Eds , Tribal Communities In The Malay World: Historical, Cultural, And Social Perspectives, Leiden : Iias And Singapore “ Iseas [7] Hood Salleh 1993. Ma, Forest And Spirit: Images And Survival Among Forest-Dwellers Of Malaysia. Southeast Asian Studies 30 (4): 444-456 [8] Hood Salleh 1989- Bases Of Traditional Authority Among The Orang Asli Of Peninsular Malaysia.Akademika 35: 75 – 86 [9] Hood Salleh (1983) Orang Asli Perceptions Of The Malay World Dalam Ilmu Masyarakat [10] Hood Salleh (1975) Ethno-Historical Perspectives And Social Change Among The Orang Asli : A Brief Overview, Jurnal Antropologi Dan Sosiologi [11] 1974 – An Ethnographical Investigation Among The Semelai Of Malaysia. B. Litt. Thesis, Oxford University. [12] William –Hunt , P.D.R. 1951. Notes On The Administration, Welfare And Recording Of Technical Data Relating To The Malayan Aborigines. Kuala Lumpur: Government Press. Compiled By The Department Of The Adviser On Aborigines, Federation Of Malay. [13] Zawawi Ibrahim. 1996a. Kami Bukan Anti-Pembangunan!: Bicara Orang Asli Menuju Wawasan 2020. Petaling Jaya: Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia. 190.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 Orang Asli and Melayu Relations
    1 Orang Asli and Melayu Relations: A Cross-Border Perspective (paper presented to the Second International Symposium of Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia, Padang, July 18-21, 2001) By Leonard Y. Andaya In present-day Malaysia the dominant ethnicity is the Melayu (Malay), followed numerically by the Chinese and the Indians. A very small percentage comprises a group of separate ethnicities that have been clustered together by a Malaysian government statute of 1960 under the generalized name of Orang Asli (the Original People). Among the “Orang Asli” themselves, however, they apply names usually associated with their specific area or by the generalized name meaning “human being”. In the literature the Orang Asli are divided into three groups: The Semang or Negrito, the Senoi, and the Orang Asli Melayu.1 Among the “Orang Asli”, however, the major distinction is between themselves and the outside world, and they would very likely second the sentiments of the Orang Asli and Orang Laut (Sea People) in Johor who regard themselves as “leaves of the same tree”.2 Today the Semang live in the coastal foothills and inland river valleys of Perak, interior Pahang, and Ulu (upriver) Kelantan, and rarely occupy lands above 1000 meters in elevation. But in the early twentieth century, Schebesta commented that the areas regarded as Negrito country included lands from Chaiya and Ulu Patani (Singora and Patthalung) to Kedah and to mid-Perak and northern Pahang.3 Most now live on the fringes rather than in the deep jungle itself, and maintain links with Malay farmers and Chinese shopkeepers. In the past they appear to have also frequented the coasts.
    [Show full text]
  • The Orang Asli Profile in Peninsular Malaysia: Background & Challenges
    International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 8 , No. 7, July 2018, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2018 HRMARS The Orang Asli Profile in Peninsular Malaysia: Background & Challenges Noraini Mohd Shah, Ridzwan Che' Rus, Ramlee Mustapha, Mohd Azlan Mohammad Hussain, Norwaliza Abdul Wahab To Link this Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i7/4563 DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i7/4563 Received: 21 May 2018, Revised: 19 June 2018, Accepted: 29 June 2018 Published Online: 17 July 2018 In-Text Citation: (Shah, Rus, Mustapha, Hussain, & Wahab, 2018) To Cite this Article: Shah, N. M., Rus, R. C., Mustapha, R., Hussain, M. A. M., & Wahab, N. A. (2018). The Orang Asli Profile in Peninsular Malaysia: Background & Challenges. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(7), 1157–1164. Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s) Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com) This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode Vol. 8, No. 7, July 2018, Pg. 1157 - 1164 http://hrmars.com/index.php/pages/detail/IJARBSS JOURNAL HOMEPAGE Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://hrmars.com/index.php/pages/detail/publication-ethics 1157 International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case Study of the Mahmeri Group in Selangor, Malaysia
    The Perspectives of the Malaysian Aboriginal Group on Ethnic Relations: A Case Study of the Mahmeri Group in Selangor, Malaysia Norazlan Hadi Yaacob1, Faezah Kassim2, Norhafiza Mohd Hed3 1 Department of Social Studies & Citizenship, Faculty of Human Sciences, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) 2University of Malaya 3 Department of Social Studies & Citizenship, Faculty of Human Sciences, UniversitiPendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Keywords: Indigenous Group, Mahmeri, Carey Island, Ethnic Relations. Abstract: It is often said that there exists an unsatisfactory or a weak interaction between the indigenous groups with the main ethnic groups. This is because there remains a feeling of prejudice in the indigenous against other ethnic groups who are often trying to exploit them. Wrong perceptions will lead to prejudice and negative stereotypes in society. To what extent this perception has really existed in the minds of the indigenous group? This study is conducted to identify and examine the knowledge, opinions, attitudes and evaluations of the indigenous people on ethnic relations. Therefore, a quantitative study using a total of 27 questionnaires on the knowledge and attitude of the aborigines towards ethnic relations is distributed to the Mahmeri group in Carey Island, Selangor. Overall, this study finds that the majority (81.5%) from the Mahmeri tribe has responded positively in the formation of ethnic relations whilst some (18.5%) feel that the ethnic relations are unimportant. This means that efforts are needed to improve the perceptions and enhance the ethnic relations between the indigenous and other ethnic groups in order to avoid serious tense in their relations. 1 INTRODUCTION society, especially the Orang Asli on other ethnic groups such as the Malays, Chinese and Indians.
    [Show full text]
  • (Indigenous People) Women in Perak, Malaysia
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Predictors of Overweight and Obesity and Its Consequences among Senoi Orang Asli (Indigenous People) Women in Perak, Malaysia Leh Shii Law 1 , Norhasmah Sulaiman 2,* , Wan Ying Gan 2 , Siti Nur’Asyura Adznam 2 and Mohd Nasir Mohd Taib 2 1 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan 94300, Sarawak, Malaysia; [email protected] 2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (W.Y.G.); [email protected] (S.N.A.); [email protected] (M.N.M.T.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +603-9769-2461 Received: 10 March 2020; Accepted: 28 March 2020; Published: 31 March 2020 Abstract: In spite of the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the Orang Asli (OA) of Malaysia being an increasing concern due to the associated adverse health implications, information regarding this issue is scarce. This cross-sectional study is aimed to investigate the predictors of overweight and obesity and its association with blood pressure and quality of life among Senoi OA women. A total of 19 villages at Batang Padang, Perak, were selected out of a total of 56 villages using a simple random sampling, in which 355 Senoi OA women were participated in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life. Weight, height and blood pressure were also measured.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Demography of the Orang Asli in Malaysia
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 7722, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 7714 www.ijhssi.org ||Volume 6 Issue 1||January. 2017 || PP.40-45 Distribution and Demography of the Orang Asli in Malaysia Tuan Pah Rokiah SyedHussain1, Devamany S. Krishnasamy2, Asan Ali Golam Hassan3 1(School of Government,College of Law,Government and International Studies,Universiti Utara Malaysia) 2(School of Government,College of Law,Government and International Studies,Universiti Utara Malaysia) 3(Department, College/ University Name, Country NaInternational Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) ABSTRACT: This article discusses the Orang Asli demography found in various parts of Malaysia. The importance of this article relates to the knowledge context of Orang Asli as a minority who are still backward with regards to their unique distribution and demographic profile as compared to the Malay or other communities in the urban areas. They live in deep interior rural areas and are far away from modernization. As such, articles on this community become paramount to create awareness amongst people on their existence and challenges Keywords: Demography of Orang Asli, Distribution of Orang Asli, Minority Ethnic, Orang Asli I. INTRODUCTION The Orang Asli (OA) are called by various names, depending on the characteristics of the livelihood of the OA concerned. According to him (at that time), the aboriginal tribes have no proper native name on their own and therefore suitable designations have had to be found. According to him too, the other name for the OA that is recorded in the literature is Kensiu. At that time, the Malays referred to the OA by many names, like Orang Utan (jungle men), to differentiate them from the Malays who were called Village Dwellers [1].
    [Show full text]
  • The Cambodian Civil War and the Vietnam War
    THE CAMBODIAN CIVIL WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR: A TALE OF TWO REVOLUTIONARY WARS by Boraden Nhem A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science and International Relations Spring 2015 €•' 2015 Boraden Nhem All Rights Reserved ProQuest Number: 3718366 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 3718366 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 THE CAMBODIAN CIVIL WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR: A TALE OF TWO REVOLUTIONARY WARS by Boraden Nhem Approved: _________________________________________________________________ Gretchen Bauer, Ph.D. Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations Approved: _____________________________________ George H. Watson, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Approved: _________________________________________________ James G. Richards, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education I certify that I have read this dissertation and that in my opinion it meets the academic and professional standard required by the University as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia : Population, Spatial Distribution and Socio-Economic Condition
    Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia : Population, Spatial Distribution and Socio-Economic Condition Tarmiji Masron*, Fujimaki Masami**, Norhasimah Ismail*** Abstract Orang Asli or indigenous peoples are peoples with unique languages, knowledge systems and beliefs. Indigenous peoples often have much in common with other neglected segments of societies, such as lack of political representation and participation, economic marginalization and poverty, lack of access to social services and discrimination. Besides that, there is population problem in the community and among them often leads to the neglect of their health and of essential needs like proper clothing and nutritious foods for the whole family. In Peninsular Malaysia, Orang Asli is separated into three main tribal groups includes Semang (Negrito), Senoi and Proto Malay (Aboriginal Malay) and consists of 19 ethnic. This study was an attempt to study and mapped the spatial distribution of the Orang Asli where two kind of data collection were applied; primary data obtained from the Department of Statistics of Malaysia, consist of Orang Asli population data for each states in Peninsular between 1947 and 2010; and secondary data collection based on the literature review or previous study for any information of Orang Asli from history, distribution, issues and problems and others which significant to the study. The result showed that overall, populations of Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia increasing between 1947 and 2010 which the highest growth rate recorded in 1991 (32.96%) while the lowest in 1957 (16.01%). Between 1947 and 2010, highest Orang Asli population was recorded in Pahang and Perak while the lowest in Pulau Pinang and Perlis.
    [Show full text]
  • Legal Analysis to Assess the Impact of Laws, Policies and In
    LEGAL ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE IM PACT OF LAWS, POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY CONSERVED TERRITORIES AND AREAS (ICCAS) IN MALAYSIA T h e G l o b a l S u p p o r t I n i t i a t i v e t o I n d i g e n o u s P e o p l e s a n d C o m m u n i t y - C o n s e r v e d T e r r i t o r i e s a n d A r e a s ( I C C A - G S I ) i s f u n d e d b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t o f G e r m a n y , t h r o u g h i t s F e d e r a l M i n i s t r y f o r t h e E n v i r o n m e n t , N a t u r e C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d N u c l e a r S a f e t y ( B M U ) , i m p l e m e n t e d b y t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s D e v e l o p m e n t P r o g r a m m e ( U N D P ) a n d d e l i v e r e d b y t h e G E F S m a l l G r a n t s P r o g r a m m e ( S G P ) .
    [Show full text]
  • Orang Asli Print Page Close Window
    World Directory of Minorities Asia and Oceania MRG Directory –> Malaysia –> Orang Asli Print Page Close Window Orang Asli Profile Estimated population: 150,000 (Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, 2003) Ethnicity: Temiar, Semai, Lanoh, Semnan, Sabum, Kensiu, Batek, Kentaq Bong, Jehai, Medrique, Tonga, Temuan, Jakun, Orang Kanaq, Orang Selitar, etc. First language/s: Aslian languages, Semelai, Temoq, etc. Religion/s: Animism, Islam, Christianity Orang Asli is a collective term (which means original or first peoples in Malay) for some 18 ethnic groups of less than 150,000 in total who are widely regarded as comprising peninsular Malaysia’s original inhabitants (in the sense that they pre-date the arrival of Malays). They are generally divided into three distinct groupings: the Negrito, Senoi and Proto-Malay. The Temoq, Senoi and Negrito speak related languages known as Aslian, which belong to the Mon-Khmer family, while the ancestors of the Proto-Malay spoke languages that, like Malay, belonged to the Austronesian family of languages. The Proto-Malay group are similar in appearance to Malays, but of diverse origin. They live along the Strait of Malacca and in southern Johor. Some have adopted Islam and are being absorbed into the Malay community. While perhaps half of the Orang Asli live in or close to forests, may be involved in hill rice cultivation or traditional hunting and gathering activities, others such as the Orang Seletar and Mah Meri live near the coast and are fisherman. Still others, such as the Jakun, are involved in agriculture. A few Negritos continue a semi-nomadic lifestyle. About 70 per cent practise traditional animist religions, about 10 per cent are Christian and 15–20 per cent Muslim, though the percentage of Orang Asli who are Muslim has been steadily increasing in more recent years, especially among the Proto-Malay.
    [Show full text]
  • LCSH Section J
    J (Computer program language) J.G.L. Collection (Australia) J. R. (Fictitious character : Bell) (Not Subd Geog) BT Object-oriented programming languages BT Painting—Private collections—Australia UF J. R. Weatherford (Fictitious character) J (Locomotive) (Not Subd Geog) J.G. Strijdomdam (South Africa) Weatherford, J. R. (Fictitious character) BT Locomotives USE Pongolapoort Dam (South Africa) Weatherford, James Royce (Fictitious J & R Landfill (Ill.) J. Hampton Robb Residence (New York, N.Y.) character) UF J and R Landfill (Ill.) USE James Hampden and Cornelia Van Rensselaer J. R. Weatherford (Fictitious character) J&R Landfill (Ill.) Robb House (New York, N.Y.) USE J. R. (Fictitious character : Bell) BT Sanitary landfills—Illinois J. Herbert W. Small Federal Building and United States J’rai (Southeast Asian people) J. & W. Seligman and Company Building (New York, Courthouse (Elizabeth City, N.C.) USE Jarai (Southeast Asian people) N.Y.) UF Small Federal Building and United States J. Roy Rowland Federal Courthouse (Dublin, Ga.) USE Banca Commerciale Italiana Building (New Courthouse (Elizabeth City, N.C.) USE J. Roy Rowland United States Courthouse York, N.Y.) BT Courthouses—North Carolina (Dublin, Ga.) J 29 (Jet fighter plane) Public buildings—North Carolina J. Roy Rowland United States Courthouse (Dublin, Ga.) USE Saab 29 (Jet fighter plane) J-holomorphic curves UF J. Roy Rowland Federal Courthouse (Dublin, J.A. Ranch (Tex.) USE Pseudoholomorphic curves Ga.) BT Ranches—Texas J. I. Case tractors Rowland United States Courthouse (Dublin, J. Alfred Prufrock (Fictitious character) USE Case tractors Ga.) USE Prufrock, J. Alfred (Fictitious character) J.J. Glessner House (Chicago, Ill.) BT Courthouses—Georgia J and R Landfill (Ill.) USE Glessner House (Chicago, Ill.) J-Sharp (Computer program language) USE J & R Landfill (Ill.) J.J.
    [Show full text]
  • 11 Language History and Culture Groups Among Austroasiatic-Speaking Foragers of the Malay Peninsula
    11 Language history and culture groups among Austroasiatic-speaking foragers of the Malay Peninsula NICLAS BURENHULT, NICOLE KRUSPE AND MICHAEL DUNN 1 Introduction The Malay Peninsula is a crossroads for people, languages and cultural influences, apparent in today’s vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and European. Yet this modern state of affairs all but conceals signals of much older situations of diversity. Thus, some 140,000 people grouped together under the label Orang Asli (Malay for ‘aboriginal people’) represent a range of cultural and biological adaptations and linguistic diversifications with roots far back in prehistory. These 20-plus ethnolinguistic groups represent a unique and vanishing window on the history of human diversity in the region, and they offer intriguing examples relevant to more general issues of the dynamics of human societies. By synthesising the current ethnographic, linguistic and genetic body of knowledge about these groups with our own quantitative analyses of new lexical data from 27 language varieties, we explore the local historical relationships and interaction between languages and cultures. Specifically, we look at the relationship between a particular subsistence mode, namely nomadic foraging, and the Aslian branch of the Austroasiatic language stock. While foraging has been considered in many previous accounts to have a historically close connection to one particular sub branch of Aslian (Northern Aslian), we highlight several mismatches in this correlation and take a step toward disentangling a complex picture of linguistic history and contact. 2 The forager problem The Northern Aslian (Aslian, Austroasiatic) languages of the Malay Peninsula have long been considered to be closely associated with a particular societal and economic tradition of nomadic foraging, upheld by the so-called Semang (Benjamin 1985; Rambo 1988; Fix 1995, 2002; Bulbeck 2004).
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Sakai (Thailand) and the Semang (Malaysia): a Literature Survey SHUICHI NAGATA1,2*
    ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCE Vol. 114, 45–57, 2006 Subgroup ‘names’ of the Sakai (Thailand) and the Semang (Malaysia): a literature survey SHUICHI NAGATA1,2* 1Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3 2School of Social Welfare, Tokyo University of Social Welfare, Isesaki, Japan Received 2 July 2003; accepted 1 August 2005 Abstract After a long interruption due to the Pacific War and Malayan Emergency, anthropological research on the foraging populations of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia was resumed with renewed vigor by Thai, Malaysian, and international scholars. However, the link between recent find- ings and those reported by earlier workers in the region is often not made explicit. One difficulty in constructing a clear linkage is the lack of unambiguous identities or ‘names’ of the foraging groups under investigation. The present paper addresses this problem, examining the ‘names’ of the Sakai and Semang subgroups reported in the literature, evaluating the status of their referents, and discussing the reasons why subgroup names have been obscure. Key words: Sakai, Semang, tribe, identify, foragers Introduction all three of them as a single entity in his times, ‘Sakai’, a much maligned term for its residual meaning of servitude, One of the difficulties a field researcher encounters in the was used to refer to non-Muslim aborigines of the peninsula study of Orang Asli, the aboriginal peoples of Malaysia, is in pre-colonial Malaya. ‘Sakai’ in this sense continues to be the name of the people under study. Who are these people heard occasionally in Malay kampongs (or villages).
    [Show full text]