The Batek of Malaysia

The Batek of Malaysia

Michael Rini

ANT 101

Carrie Perkins

July 8th, 2013

The Batek of Malaysia

The Batek of Malaysia are a small group numbering about 1200 that live in the rainforest regions of Malaysia, they are typically shorter than most Southeast Asians. They speak a Mon-Khmer language.

In this research paper I will be talking about their history and their beliefs and values I have found three articles that I will be using to prepare my paper. The Batek live in a region that is hot year round and they normally live in the valleys of the peninsulas tallest mountain, this area is known as Gunung Tahan. This area is known for violent thunderstorms. The area averages about two hundred and fifty four inches of rain annually.

The Batek economy includes fishing, hunting, planting vegetables and gathering vegetables, selling forest products and labor barter, they change constantly because of changing conditions or opportunities. The hunters share meat with all in the camp. These camps consist of two to twenty closely knit nuclear families each with a separate lean-to and cooking fire. Families share food but normally only cook for their own families. Children in their teens begin to build their own shelters and sometimes cohabitate with children from other families.

There is no marriage ceremony among the Batek. If a man and woman find that they want to be together they simply start living together. Divorce is common among the Batek and both parents care for their children after the divorce.

The Batek have no government or leaders so they will resolve disputes among themselves. They have no military but sometimes find themselves at the mercy of the Malaysian government.

The Batek believe that the world is a flat disc with water around the land. They do not own any land and the Malaysian Government often will encroach upon their land. Batek people do not try to control one another and they never force one another to do anything they do not...