Orang Asli is a general term used for any indigenous groups that are found in Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into three main tribal groups: Negrito, Senoi, and Proto-Malay. Map of Peninsular Malaysia Peninsular Malaysia (or Semenanjung Malaysia in the Malay language) is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula, and shares a land border with Thailand in the north. ... The Negritos include the Ati, the Aeta and at least 4 other tribes of the Philippines, the Semang of the Malay peninsula, and 12 Andamanese tribes of the Andaman Islands. ... The Senoi are a Malaysian hunting and gathering people who were reported to make extensive use of lucid dreaming to ensure happiness and mental health. ...

Each group consists of various sub-groups. Negrito includes Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh, Jahai, Mandriq, and Batiq (Batek). Senoi includes Temiar, Semai, Semoq Beri, Jahut, Mah Meri, and Che Wong. Proto-Malay includes Temuan, Semelai, Jakun, Kanaq, Kuala, and Seletar. It must be noted that these subdivisions are sociological, and not linguistic.

Negrito is usually found in the north, Senoi in the center, and Proto-Malay in the southern part of the Peninsula.

Despite being the indigenous population of Malaysia, they are discriminated against by Malaysian law, government and society as part of the Malaysian Bumiputra system. Bumiputra or Bumiputera (Sanskrit, translated literally, it means sons of the Earth; Malay, translated literally, it means princes of the Earth), sometimes spelled Bumiputera, is an official definition widely used in Malaysia, embracing ethnic Malays as well as other indigenous ethnic groups. ...

External links

• The Department of Orang Asli Affairs is responsible for the administration, development and welfare of the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia.
• Magickriver.net is a collective of concerned citizens for the various Orang Asli tribes which has produced videos and articles about the lives of the Orang Asli who languish under the responsibility of the Department of Orang Asli Affairs.
• Temiar.com is the protem website of the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) NGO which has presented authoritative articles to the Commonwealth regarding the plight of the Orang Asli tribes.
• Senoipraaq.com is the website of Roy Davis Linville Jumper who has authored several books about the Orang Asli and their jungle fighting skills.
• The Orang Asli Archive is a small collection of online resources about the Orang Asli and hosted by the Mason Library of Keene State College.