Last week, Bernama, the Malaysian national news agency, issued a five-part series of feature articles on the Orang Asli societies, the Original People of Malaysia. The focus of the articles was on the assistance provided to the Semai, Batek, Chewong and 15 others groups by the Department of Orang Asli… Continue reading…
News accounts last Friday highlighted the importance of preserving and fostering the musical traditions of two different peaceful societies. According to Indian news sources, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), the Indian National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama, just awarded the coveted SNA prize—Rs.50,000 (US$1,000)—to Hildamit Lepcha for her dedication… Continue reading…
The Chewong, Batek, Semai, and other Orang Asli (Original People) of Malaysia realize that their lack of education causes them some difficulties, but the reasons for the problem are debatable. The Malaysia Star on Sunday published an analysis of the issue. The statistics of Orang Asli successes in education are… Continue reading…
A national conference of Malaysian lawyers listened to arguments about the constitutional rights of the Orang Asli last week and, to judge by reports, they were enlightened, challenged, and amused. The printed program of the 14th Malaysian Law Conference, held from October 29 through 31 in the Kuala Lumpur Convention… Continue reading…
According to a young Semai person, the Orang Asli “only know that the police are government, and the government can have them arrested.” Alice M. Nah interviewed the Semai individual for a recent journal article on the indigeneity of the Orang Asli, the “Original People,” of Malaysia. She begins her… Continue reading…
Romeo vaults over a wall, enters the Capulet family garden, and hears his new-found love standing at a window bemoaning the fact that their families hate each other. “`Tis but thy name that is my enemy,” Juliet says abstractly, her young friend still unseen below. She continues with the famous… Continue reading…
Romeo vaults over a wall, enters the Capulet family garden, and hears his new-found love standing at a window bemoaning the fact that their families hate each other. “`Tis but thy name that is my enemy,” Juliet says abstractly, her young friend still unseen below. She continues with the famous… Continue reading…
The New Straits Times of Malaysia has taken a much more balanced approach to the Malaysian government’s treatment of the Orang Asli than it did earlier this year. Their story on February 24 clearly sympathized with the government’s official position, which is that it was necessary for the Batek to… Continue reading…
The New Straits Times of Malaysia has taken a much more balanced approach to the Malaysian government’s treatment of the Orang Asli than it did earlier this year. Their story on February 24 clearly sympathized with the government’s official position, which is that it was necessary for the Batek to… Continue reading…
