Jakun people

For the "Orang Ulu" of the Sarawak Orang Asal, see Orang Ulu.
Jakun people
Urang Jakun / Orang Ulu
Jakun teenagers playing pick-up sticks in a community centre.
Total population
31,577 (2010)[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Malaysia (Johor and Pahang)
Languages
Jakun language, Malay language
Religion
Traditional religion, Chinese folk religion, Christianity, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Temoq people, Malay people

Jakun people or Orang Ulu/Orang Hulu (meaning "people of the upstream") are an ethnic group recognised as Orang Asli (indigenous people) of the Malay Peninsula in Malaysia.

The Malaysian government recognises 18 different sub-groups of Orang Asli, including three broad divisions: the Negrito (Semang), Senoi and aboriginal Malays (Proto-Malay). The Jakun people are the largest sub-group in the Proto-Malay division, and the second-largest Orang Asli sub-group overall, after the Semai.

In the past, the name Jakun was used as a term that encompasses all sub-groups in the Proto-Malay division, including the Temuan people of the southwest and centre of the Peninsula and several coastal communities of the south of the Peninsula, including the Orang laut (Orang Seletar, Orang Kuala) and Orang Kanaq.[2]

In terms of anthropological characteristics, the Proto-Malay are southern Mongoloid, generally taller and having lighter skin than other groups of Orang Asli.

In standard Malay, the name "jakun" carries a derogatory connotation meaning "slave" or unsophisticated person.[3][4]

  1. ^ Kirk Endicott (2015). Malaysia's Original People: Past, Present and Future of the Orang Asli. NUS Press. ISBN 978-99-716-9861-4.
  2. ^ "Jakun people". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  3. ^ Johannes Nicolaisen & Jens Yde (1986). Folk: dansk etnografisk tidsskrift, Volumes 28-29. Dansk etnografisk forening. p. 216.
  4. ^ R. Elangaiyan (2007). "Foundation for Endangered Languages". Vital voices: endangered languages and multilingualism : proceedings of the Tenth FEL Conference, CIIL, Mysore, India, 25-27 October, 2006. Central Institute of Indian Languages. ISBN 978-09-538-2488-5.