Semelai people are an Orang Asli people of the

Proto-Malay The term Proto-Malay, which translates to ''Melayu Asli'' (aboriginal Malay) or ''Melayu Purba'' (ancient Malay) or ''Melayu Tua'' (old Malay), refers to Austronesian speakers, possibly from mainland Asia, who moved to the Malay peninsula and ...

people group found in Negeri Sembilan and

Pahang Pahang (; Jawi: , Pahang Hulu Malay: ''Paha'', Pahang Hilir Malay: ''Pahaeng'', Ulu Tembeling Malay: ''Pahaq)'' officially Pahang Darul Makmur with the Arabic honorific ''Darul Makmur'' (Jawi: , "The Abode of Tranquility") is a sultanate and ...

states of

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

Settlement area

They are divided into two major groups, namely:- * The Semelai people in Kampung Sungai Sampo and Kampung Sungai Lui,

Jempol District The Jempol District is the largest district in the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan. The district borders Jelebu District to the northwest, Kuala Pilah District to the west, Tampin District to the south, Bera District, Pahang to the northeas ...

, Negeri Sembilan * The Semelai people in Pos Iskandar, Kampung Bukit Rok and Kampung Ibam, Tasik Bera, Kampung Bukit Gemuroh and Bongkok,

Teriang Teriang, alt. Triang ( Jawi: ترياڠ) is a town and a mukim in Bera District, southwestern Pahang, Malaysia. It is the largest settlement in the district. Etymology Its name was derived from Sungai Teriang (Triang River), a tributary of th ...

, Bera District,

Population

The population of the changes of the Semelai population are as the following:- The 2010 census, the

Temoq people Temoq people belong to the Proto-Malay of the Orang Asli ethnic group that are found in Pahang, Malaysia. Settlement area The Temoq people that are officially recognized are known to settle in two kampungs; on the eastern side of Tasik Bera an ...

were included in the Semelai population due to the small numbers of

Music

The Semelai music have been passed down for generations except with little modification to suit with the modern times. There are two musical instruments used, which are the

Rebana The rebana or terbangan is a tambourine that is used in Islamic devotional music in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. The sound of the rebana often accompany Islamic ritual such as the zikir. The name ...

and

Gong A gongFrom Indonesian and ms, gong; jv, ꦒꦺꦴꦁ ; zh, c=鑼, p=luó; ja, , dora; km, គង ; th, ฆ้อง ; vi, cồng chiêng; as, কাঁহ is a percussion instrument originating in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Gongs ...

(including both "male" and "female"

s). This musical style is often performed in community halls or houses during feasts, weddings,

circumcision Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. Top ...

ceremonies, gatherings and welcoming visitors for the purpose of entertainment. This music is performed with songs sung in

Semelai language Semelai is an Austroasiatic language spoken in the Malay Peninsula. It belongs to the Southern branch of the Aslian language subgrouping. The Semelai reside predominantly around the Bera, Serting and associated river systems in the states of ...

. There are also dances but it is only done with regulation and under certain requirements. The music of the Semelai is also used for healing purposes, such as singing in fertility ceremony.

References

External links

JOURNEY INTO TASEK BERA WITH THE ORANG ASLI SEMELAI

More support for indigenous Semelai at Tasek Bera Ramsar Site

Knowledge, Culture and Beliefs of Tasek Bera's Semelai People. Tasek Bera, Malaysia's first Ramsar site, is important not just for its flora and fauna. It is also home to the Semelai, the indigenous Orang Asli people who inhabit the area around the lake. WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL reports on their unique culture and beliefs.
{{Authority control Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia Ethnic groups in Malaysia Orang Asli