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Who are the malays?

Updated: 12/8/2022
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Malays are an Austronesian group of peoples from Southeast Asia that inhabits the Malay Peninsula and islands of the Malay Archipelago, Indonesia, Brunei, southern Thailand and southern Philippines. They speak the Malay language, and a defining trait of an ethnic Malay is one who follows Islam and adheres to Malay customs.

BY COUNTRY - GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

In the Malay Peninsula, the ethnic Malays are found in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. In Thailand, most of the ethnic Malays live in the southern provinces of Thailand bordering Malaysia. Malays, also make up one of Singapore's officially recognized populations. Since 60% of Malaysia's population are ethnic Malays, the Malays are obviously in Peninsular Malaysia. In the Malay Archipelago, ethnic Malays live in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. They form the majority populations in Malaysia and Brunei and a significant minority population in Indonesia. Nearly all of Brunei's population are ethnic Malays, since Brunei is a very small country in Borneo that is surrounded by Malaysia. In Indonesia, most of the Malays live in Borneo, Sulawesi, western Sumatra and parts of Java. About 10-30% of Indonesia's populare are ethnic Malays. The rest are either Javanese or indegenous.

LANGUAGE

The Malays, speak the Malay language. Malay is a member of the Austronesian family of languages, also known as "Malayo-Polynesian". Malay is a world major language and is the national languages of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. An official language in Singapore and a minority in Thailand and Sri Lanka. In Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the ethnic Malays speak the standard form of Malay which is known as "Bahasa Melayu" or "Malay language". Sometimes in Malaysia, it is referred to as "Bahasa Malaysia" or "Malaysian language". In Thailand, the Malays also speak their own Malay dialect known as "Yawi" or "Patanni Malay". The national standard form of Malay spoken in Indonesia is known as "Bahasa Indonesia" or "Indonesian". It too, is a major language of the world. Indonesian differs from the standard form of Malay, spoken in Malaysia and Singapore. In Brunei, there is also "Bruneien Malay", or "Brunei Melayu" but the standard Malay is also Brunei's national language. Various peo ple from Borneo also speak their own Malay dialects or creoles like those living in the Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak.

CULTURE & CUISINE

Malay culture, is of Austronesian stock with an entire load of Chinese, Arabic and Indian influences. Malays use wood to build their houses and villages called "kampongs". Malay architecture is also known for its ability to make houses durable from typhoons. Malay cuisine consists of meats and seafoods marinaded in various sauces. Although due to religious regulations, pork is absent in Malay cuisine. Every Malay meal is served with rice, and served on banana leaves. Malays eat with hands, as a tradition; with the right hands. Rice and coconut milk are two staple ingredients of Malay cuisine. A lot of sauces made by Malays use coconut milk. Satay is a popular Malay snack/dish made of grilled meats, seafoods or tofu on skewers. Chinese, Arabic and Indian influences have also played a major role in influencing Malay culture. In fact those are the top three influences of Malay culture. Brunei's leader is a sultan.

MALAY AS A "RACE"

Malay can also refer to the Malay Race. The Malay Race and the ethnic Malays are two different things. Ethnic Malays are focused on the ethnic group living in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia. The Malay Race on the other hand, includes people from all of Southeast Asia, Oceania and the African island of Madagascar. So this would mean that Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, Madagascar Africans, Hawaiians, Javanese, Balinese, Taiwanese and all other Southeast Asian and Oceanic people are all "Malays" by race, not ethnicity. The term "Malay Race" is simply an easier term for "Austronesian people". Meaning everyone from the entire region of Austronesia (which strectches all the way from the African island of Madagascar to Hawaii's easternmost tip).

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What is religion of Malay?

malays are Muslims in general but there are reports that there are some non Muslim malays..these are labeled "murtad" malays.


What does Agurang mean?

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Are there Malays in the Philippines?

No there are no ethnic Malays in the Philippines. Not even in Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago which touches Malaysia's northeastern most end. The presence of ethnic Malays in the Philippines is old and outdated. Because what people (Filipinos in particular) used to believe was that ethnic Malays came to the Philippines from Malaysia and Indonesia and formed one big happy family. "Bogus" is the only term I can use to describe this lie, because that is what it is. Bogus. Ethnic Malays originated from Yunnan, China. The origin that created who we know as the Malays then reached Tawian, Philippines and then later Borneo and Sumatra. Malays are also descended from Thailand.Filipinos aren't even closely related to ethnic Malays. Sure, Filipinos and Malays are related because they are both Austronesian people. But Filipinos are only distantly related to ethnic Malays. The ONLY ethnic group from the Philippines that is closely related to Malays are the Tausug. The Tausugs are Muslims and even they don't consider themselves Malay. Even the Filipino Muslims don't consider themselves Malays. So no, there are no ethnic Malays in the Philippines. Malays don't form either a majority, minority or any population in the Philippines at all.


What is United Malays National Organisation's motto?

The motto of United Malays National Organisation is 'Unite, Loyal, Serve'.


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United Malays National Organisation was created on 1946-05-11.


Explain why Malays rejected Malayan Union 1946?

There are five main reasons why malays rejected Malayan Union. 1. Malays were against liberal citizenship. 2. The position of the Malay 3. Malays faced competition 4. High-handed and arbitrary manner of introduction 5. From the former British administrators


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What are natives of Singapore called?

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It's high time the Malays free themselves from being subsidised?

It's high time the malays free themselves from being subsidised?


What has the author John Schofield Mayson written?

John Schofield Mayson has written: 'The Malays of Cape Town' -- subject(s): History, Malays (Asian people)


If Malaysian are Malays how about Indonesian?

I already see a problem, with this question that starts with the title. Not all Malaysians, are ethnic Malays. Although yes, ethnic Malays do form a 60% majority of Malaysia's population. The other 40% of Malaysia's population are ethnic Indians, Han Chinese and some indegenous groups. Malaysia's population isn't really that diverse. Indonesia on the other hand, is one of Southeast Asia's most diverse countries. You are to understand that, "Indonesian" is not an ethnicity but rather a nationality. There are MANY ethnic groups in Indonesia. And guess what? Malays are one of them. Indonesians are also ethnic Malays, but not all Indonesians are Malays. Sure, there are a lot of Malays in Indonesia and most of Indonesian culture is based off of Malay culture. But ethnic Malays are only about 10-30% of Indonesia's population. They mostly live in Borneo, Sulawesi (formerly "Celebes"), Sumatra's western coasts and they form a minority population in Java. So if, only 30% of Indonesians are ethnic Malays at the most; then what are the ethnic groups that make up Indonesia? Most of Indonesia's population are Javanese, and they make up about 50-60% of Indonesia's population. Javanese people are not Malays, although they closely related to ethnic Malays. Javanese people also have their own language, the Javanese language along with Indonesian; the national language of Indonesia. Malays and Javanese do look a like, because they share the Austronesian origin.