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The Malay community in Singapore: where did their ancestors come from and why did they become the country's indigenous people?
In Singapore, the Malay ethnic group has deep-rooted history. This ethnic group accounts for approximately 13.5% of the domestic population and is the second largest ethnic group after the Chinese. In Singapore's constitution, they are recognized as the country's indigenous peoples, while Malay is designated as the national language. The history of this ethnic group dates back to the 13th century, when the Malay ethnic group and its culture began to take root in this land due to trade and other socioeconomic factors.
"Since the British colonial official Stanford Raffels arrived in Singapore in 1819, the local Malay ethnic group has been one of the main ethnic groups on the island."
According to documents from the ancient Malay Era, as early as 1299, the prince of Baling State had established the trading city "Singapore" (ie "Lion City") in Singapore. During this history, the Malays have always played an important role. Their culture and social structure have influenced the development of Singapore and the interaction of other ethnic groups on the island.
The settlement process of the Malay ethnic group is diverse. As history goes by, immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, Java Island to Huizhou Island have promoted the diversity of Malay culture in Singapore. As Singapore became a hub of world trade at the time, the social structure of the Malay community evolved accordingly. Their religious beliefs, cultural customs and social norms not only enriched the national life of this land, but also gradually formed the identity of Malay Singaporeans. ”
"In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the population increase of the Malay ethnic group made them an integral part of Singaporean society."
Singapore’s Malay history can be traced back to its early monarchy. Over the course of many generations, Malay rulers and nobles not only established a wealthy business network, but also guided the political trends of society. The existence of the Sultanate system has further strengthened the influence of the Malays in Singaporean society.
Over time, the Malay community absorbed cultural elements from surrounding nations. Various ethnic groups such as the Javanese and the people from the Wenbang region also add rich and diverse features to Singapore's Malay culture. Historical documents have mentioned that "most of the Malays in Singapore are descendants of different ethnic groups in the Malay Archipelago, including Malays, Javanese, Bugis and Banjari people."
The Malays must have brought significant changes to Singapore's culture and society. Take the sea nomads, the Orang Laut, as an example. With their unique lifestyle and cultural customs, they became part of Singapore's early social life. The Hoi people fished and did business in the Singapore River and surrounding waters. However, their way of life was impacted by colonial policies.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many Malays flocked to Singapore for job opportunities. On the one hand, the population of this ethnic group increased dramatically. On the other hand, most people chose to engage in handicrafts, fisheries or small businesses, making them become Singaporeans. One of the most important labor forces in society. According to the 1931 census, there were as many as 11,290 Malays working in Singapore at that time, with a large proportion of them engaged in fishing and agriculture.
"The social and cultural contributions of many ethnic Malays have made them an integral part of Singapore's diverse society."
Today, the Malays, as Singapore's indigenous ethnic group, continue to exert an important influence on the country's development. Their representation in politics, media, sports and other fields has gradually become more obvious. Many young Malays have entered a broader stage through education and social activities. The heritage of Malay culture is not only intact but also given new life through local language and customs.
In this context, we can’t help but think about: How will the Malay community continue to shape this soil of cultural convergence in Singapore’s future development, and work with other cultural groups to weave Singapore’s diverse harmony?
