Orang Seletar

Orang Seletar
Selitar / Slitar
Total population
(3,000[1])
Regions with significant populations
 Malaysia (Johor) 1,042 (2010)[2]
 Singapore 1,200[3]
Languages
Orang Seletar language, Malay language
Religion
Animism (predominantly), Islam
Related ethnic groups
Jakun people, Orang Kanaq, Orang Kuala, Temuan people, Orang Laut

Orang Seletar (also known as Selitar or Slitar) are one of the 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Malaysia.[4] They are classified under the Proto-Malay people group, which forms the three major people group of the Orang Asli.[5] The Orang Seletar are also considered as part of the Sea Gypsies.[6] They speak in their own Orang Seletar language.

History

The Orang Seletar is believed to have originated from Pulau Seletar and Seletar, Singapore. They are the natives of Singapore and among the earliest settlers on the island.[7]

The Orang Seletar were once part of the sea nomads Orang Laut that lived in boats at the sea, islands, coastal areas and estuaries.[8] However, today they have settled inland of Peninsular Malaysia and have their own settlements.

Although the Orang Seletar were originally part of the Orang Laut, the Malaysian government have categorized them as part of the Orang Asli today.

Settlements and lifestyle

Geographical location of Orang Seletar (located in Johor) and other Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia.

Traditionally, the Orang Seletar are heavily dependent on sea produce.[9] With years of depleting fish along the Straits of Johor and Singapore, they are also known to sell Bakau wood from the mangrove.[10] Hence, the need for them to live a nomadic lifestyle. However, the changes in their socioeconomic have changed their way of living.

Today, the Orang Seletar live in a more organized settlement areas in the southern region of Johor such as Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Bahru.[11] They practice animism but there are also those that converted to Islam.

There are those among them that have worked in industrial factories. Orang Seletar fisherman have also adapted modern equipment for fishing. There are even some of those that run seafood restaurants.[12]

References

  1. "Orang Seletar". Joshua Project. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  2. Kirk Endicott (2015). Malaysia's Original People: Past, Present and Future of the Orang Asli. NUS Press. ISBN 99-716-9861-7.
  3. "Orang Seletar in Singapore". Joshua Project. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  4. Ben Tan (25 October 2015). "Johor Orang Asli community lauds initiative to look into hostel woes". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  5. Zafarina Zainuddin (2012). Genetic and Dental Profiles of Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia. Penerbit USM. ISBN 98-386-1550-1.
  6. Ian Glover (2004). Southeast Asia: From Prehistory to History. Psychology Press. ISBN 04-152-9777-X.
  7. Nazarudin Zainun (2015). Antropologi Dan Sejarah Dalam Kearifan Tempatan. Penerbit USM. ISBN 98-386-1932-9.
  8. Rajmah Hasan (16 June 2014). "Nasib Orang Seletar: Siapa yang endah?". Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  9. K Pragalath (30 July 2013). "Our villages not mentioned in EIA report". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  10. Zaihan Mohamed Yusof (17 December 2014). "Caught in a fishing rut". Asia One. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  11. Geoffrey Benjamin & Cynthia Chou (2002). Tribal Communities in the Malay World: Historical, Cultural and Social Perspectives. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 98-123-0167-4.
  12. Ariffin bin Nopiah (1979). Anthony R. Walker, ed. A Brief Introduction to the Orang Seletar of the Johor Coast with Special Reference to Kampung Simpang Arang. Social Anthropology Section, School of Comparative Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. OCLC 16319990.
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