UNIQUENESS OF SOCIETY IN MALAYSIA (Orang Asli)

﷽

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, my dearest reader🌹

Barakah day, Barakah life for everybody🥰

Hey guys😊 Today's topic quite interesting. As you guys can see my main title is about Orang Asli. What amazing about Orang Asli? okay, I don't want to waste your time. LETS GO!!🚴💨

In Malaysia, we are known as a country that rich in different cultures and customs.  Like other societies, the Orang Asli also have their own culture, customs, language and celebrations. Orang Asli is an entity of Malaysian society that is spread throughout the country on the peninsula except Perlis and Penang. These communities can be categorized into three main groups, Proto-Malay, Senoi and Negrito and there are six Aboriginal tribes for each of the major groups concerned. The tribes are Mendriq, Lanoh, Kensiu, Bateq, Kintaq, Orang Kanaq, Orang Seletar, Temuan, Semelai, Orang Laut, Jahai, Jakun, Jah Hut, Temiar, Mah Meri, Semai, Che Wong and Semoq Beri.

To preserve and maintain the cultural heritage and arts of the Orang Asli so that they are not swallowed up by modernity, the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa) through its 4th director general established the Orang Asli Museum at Kilometer 24, Jalan Pahang Lama Gombak, Gombak, Selangor in 1987. The museum near the Orang Asli village was originally the official residence of former Jakoa Director General before being replaced with a new building at the end of the 6th Malaysia Plan and reopened to the public in 2000.

It was established to collect, record, docement and exhibit the way of life of the Orang Asli past.  In addition to storing historical materials, this museum also takes care of all artifacts or equipment related to the way of life and socio-cultural Orang Asli for future generations to see. Although the location of this museum is quite far from the city of Kuala Lumpur which is about 20 kilometers, it is still the choice of tourists and local visitors to get to know more about the uniqueness of the Orang Asli community in this country.

The two-storey museum houses a collection of artifacts, replicas, photographs and some notes that tell about the life and culture of the Orang Asli community. The exhibition is divided into nine segments involving musical instruments, personal adornment, clothing, sculpture and handicrafts, hunting equipment, wedding customs and beliefs. There is even a corner for Senoi Praaq and an appreciation of the progress of the Orang Asli. Senoi Praaq corner tells the history of the establishment of the Forest Police Force (PPH) which is mostly made up of Orang Asli.  This team was established in 1957 and made a great contribution, especially during the country's emergency facing the communist threat. 

 Apart from the exhibition, tourists and visitors, especially groups, are also presented with a Sewang performance from the Semai tribe which combines elements of dance and singing. Sewang is held for medical purposes and also includes elements of spirit and ceremony, however it is now reworked for performance and entertainment purposes only.  Dancers will form a circle during the performance and are usually accompanied by the beating of musical instruments such as bamboo beats. This year alone until last October, this museum recorded more than 5,000 foreign tourists and more than 2,000 local visitors.  They are also served traditional foods such as sweet potatoes and yams cooked in bamboo, catfish dishes are also cooked in bamboo and cat mustache leaves.

Enough with the story, here I show to you guys the video and pictures of Orang Asli with their style of life. Enjoy!

I think that’s all from me about this interesting topic. Thank you for your time to read until the end of my written. May Allah bless you guys, Aamiin💖. I end my posting “UNIQUENESS OF SOCIETY IN MALAYSIA (Orang Asli) ” with Wabillahi Taufiq Wal Hidayah Wasalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. Barakah day everyone🌹sending 💝xoxo!! Bye-bye! 👋😊