Orang Asli Museum

VISITING ORANG ASLI MUSEUM

Who Are The Orang Asli?

Orang Asli ("original people", "natural people" or "aboriginal people" in Malaysia) are the indigenous people and the oldest inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia. Orang asli in Malaysia are not a homogeneous minority, but they are a heterogeneous people with unique socio-cultural and psycho-socio-cognitive differences. There are three major groups (Negrito, Senoi, and Proto Malay) with six different tribes for each.

Negrito	Senoi	Proto-Malay
Kensiu Kintaq Lanoh Jahai Mendriq Bateq	Temiar Semai Semoq Beri Che Wong Jah Hut Mah Meri	Temuan Semelai Jakun Orang kanaq Orang kuala Orang seletar

Orang Asli Museum

The Orang Asli Museum is a museum in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia that showcases the history and tradition of the indigenous Orang Asli people. Thus, last week, we had time to visit this place to see and learn about the uniqueness of Aboriginal culture in Malaysia. 

    
Address: 13 Jalan Gombak, Jalan Gombak, Kampung Batu Dua Belas Gombak, 53100, Selangor.

Visiting hour:
 Saturday to Thursday (Open at 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
 Friday (Closed)
 Weekends / Public Holiday (Open)
 Free entrance 


Orang Asli Culture and Tradition 

1) Domicile (home)

The form of Orang Asli’s dwelling is very much dependent on the area on which they have made their home and also the culture of that particular community. Its size and shape would depend on the number of inhabitants and differ from one ethnic group to another. 

Negrito’s home	Simpler and easier, akin to the shape of a bunch of bananas and is made of bamboo with a roof constructed from ‘bertam’ and ‘tepus’.
Senoi’s home	Longhouse with all unmarried family members living in the same house. Normally it is 3.5 meter high from the ground level and it can accommodates up to 120 people at one time.
Malay Proto’s home	Reside in close proximity to them and have been influenced by the Malay’s culture.

2) Jewelleries 
Jewelleries are used to attract the male and female. Some of it is made of tree roots, beads and flowers which are then designed to form bracelets, necklace, comb, and others. 

3) Clothing 
Originally, their clothes were made of leaves and the outer layer of wood. 

    

4) Wood carving and crafts
The products of Orang Asli creativity based on nature and their beliefs, especially in weaving of mengkuang and pandan leaves, bamboo, and cane. In wood carving, all creation depend on imagination and dream that depict good or evil forces which are related to their beliefs and lifestyles. 

5) Musical instrument 
As a form of entertainment. Their music is produces using instruments that need to be drummed, blown, violin-like and hit like the ‘gong’, ‘centong’, ‘bamboo guitar’, ‘kreb’, ‘pensol’, and ‘centong-centong’.

6) Hunting tools
There are different types of hunting weapons that are basically made of material available around them. These are include blow-pipe, spears, and traps. Fishing equipment includes bubu, lukah, tuar, and many more. 

7) Wedding customs 
Their wedding rituals are unique, with certain elements which are similar to the Malay wedding merisik and meminang. Generally, most of Orang Asli tends to marry at a young age. For the man, 17 to 18 are considered the most suitable for marriage, while for women, it is 13 to 14 and she must not be older than the man. 

8) Beliefs 
Most of the m still believes in the power of spirits who are said to be their source of help in time of need. Traditional medicine-man acts as a medium to communicate with the invisible power. The communication process is carried out during rituals on special days such as Puja pantai, Genggulang, Sewang, and Berjerom. 

  

References 
Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli 
www.jakoa.gov.my