Overview of Malaysia

Overview of Malaysia

• Composed of various ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious groups
• Malaysians are unequally distributed between Peninsular and East Malaysia (Borneo)
• Most live in Peninsular Malaysia

Ethnic, Linguistic, and Cultural Groups

• Ethnic groups are classified as Bumiputera (or Bumiputero) groups with immigrant populations
• The official language is Malay, contributing to national unity

Ethnic Groups in Peninsular Malaysia

• Orang Asli: Indigenous people
• Malays
• Chinese
• South Asians
• Small group: Europeans, Americans, Eurasians, Arabs, and Thais

Linguistic Belonging and Culture

• Orang Asli: Smallest group, belongs to Jakun ethnic group and use Malay dialect
• Semang and Senoi use languages from the Mon-Khmer family
• Chinese make up one-fourth of the population, speaking Hokkien, Hainanese, Cantonese and Baba Chinese (Malay-speaking)
• Malays originated from parts of the peninsula and Southeast Asian archipelago, making up half the country's population and speak Malay as the dominant group
• South Asians include Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan, with two linguistic groups: Dravidian and Indo-European
• Tamil-speaking group is the largest

East Malaysia

• Includes Sabah, Sarawak, Federal Territory of Labuan
• Located on Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, separated by the South China Sea

Ethnic Groups in Sarawak

• Iban or Sea Dayak: Indigenous, one-fourth of the population
• Chinese
• Malay
• Bidayuh or Land Dayak
• Melanau
• Orang Ulu or Upriver people
• Languages: Austronesian dialects
• Iban live in mountainous lands of Sarawak, practice shifting agriculture, and have a language that is related but distinct from Malay
• Chinese in Sarawak live between coast, plateau, and mountains, cultivate cash crops, and speak Hakka and Fuzhou
• Malays of Sarawak share cultural traits with Peninsular Malays and speak a different Malay dialect
• Bidayuh live in western Sarawak, practice shifting agriculture, and speak various dialects
• Melanau found along coast of Bintulu, known for producing flour from the Sagu palm

Ethnic Groups in Sabah

• Largest groups: Kadazan or Dusun, Bajau, and Malay
• Others: Murut, Kedayan, Orang Sungei, Visayans, Chinese, Europeans, Eurasians, Indonesians, Filipinos, South Asians
• Bajau has two groups: Farmers (northern coast) and Sailing groups (eastern coast) with a language related to southern Philippines

Religion and Beliefs

• Islam is the official religion practiced by a large portion of the population. Influenced by Southeast, East, South, and West Asia, Malay culture, Orang Asli, and East Malaysia's culture are rooted in pre-Islamic Indian and early Islamic traditions
• Malay = Muslim, speaks Malay, follows Malay customs (by law)
• Legal system reinforces identity through Shari'a Court (handles religion and family matters), requiring conversion for marriage to Muslims
• Media and Islamic Influence: Daily prayers on TV/radio, prayer rooms in buildings, focus on halal food, Islamic institutions, and holidays

Other Religions

• Buddhism: Has two types: Mahayana and Theravada. Followers: Malaysian Indian, Thai, Sri Lankan. Chinese Buddhists mix Taoism and Confucianism. Celebrated holiday: Wesak
• Christianity: Brought by Persian, Arab, Turkish traders. Protestant missions during the British period

Kinship Structure

• Outlines the rights and duties of each person in society
• Influences decisions on marriage, care for younger children, and responsibility for debts

Definition of Kinship

• Refers to relationships between individuals considered relatives due to bloodline or ancestry

Three Main Kinship Systems

• Patrilineal Kinship: Lineage traced through the male line
• Matrilineal Kinship: Lineage traced through the mother line
• Bilateral Kinship: Children are important to both father's and mother's lineages

Bilateral Kinship in Southeast Asia

• Prevalent in Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines

Kinship in the Philippines

• Equal connection with both paternal and maternal relatives
• Filipinos are clannish, recognizing relatives up to the 10th degree
• Godparent's children are considered kinakapatid
• Titles for respect: kuya, ate, manong, manang, tita, tito, lolo, lola

Kinship in Malaysia and Indonesia

• Property is equally divided among sons and daughters
• In Java, daughters may inherit fertile farmland (house, usage rights)

Gender Equality in Kinship

• Filipino and Thai cultures show gender equality in inheritance
• Reflects the bilateral system as women have economic roles

Women's Roles in Southeast Asia

• Contribute to family income and decision-making, skilled in money handling/business

Family and Marriage in Bilateral Societies

• In Muslim communities, divorce is not shameful and remarriage is common
• In the Philippines, bilateral order remains with Spanish/Catholic influence
• Authority is shared and flexible for women

Matrilineal Kinship System

• Lineage traced only through female members with children belonging only to the mother's lineage
• Example: Minangkabau of Sumatra, Indonesia
• Women inherit House and Land