How many races in Malaysia ? I think many still say three, even the radio station always professed that. It is irritating though, however, the igornace is coming from where the HISTORIAN never voiced.They care about who found the Penang Island more than the racial hormony.
When it comes to racial profiling ourselves, Malaysians, especially those in the peninsula, are most familiar with the ‘Malay–Chinese–Indian dan lain-lain’ litany. Many of us are also able to name the Iban, Kadazandusun, Bidayuh and Bajau as fellow citizens but beyond that, we’ll be hard-pressed to recall some of the other 214 ethnic groups that call Malaysia home. The 42nd Malaysia Day came and went on Sept 16, unmarked and unnoticed as usual. But it got us thinking that it was perhaps time we got acquainted with our less well-known countrymen. Roslan Gimat, a Bonggi from Sabah, relaxing in his hammock in his father’s house with his young cousin. – Photo by RAPAEE KAWI There were indeed many to choose from but for practical reasons, we decided to focus on six groups – the Bonggi, Iranun, Lun Bawang, Lundayeh, Kanaq and Semelai. Today’s stories on the Bonggi are the first in a series to introduce Other Malaysians.
When it comes to racial profiling ourselves, Malaysians, especially those in the peninsula, are most familiar with the ‘Malay–Chinese–Indian dan lain-lain’ litany. Many of us are also able to name the Iban, Kadazandusun, Bidayuh and Bajau as fellow citizens but beyond that, we’ll be hard-pressed to recall some of the other 214 ethnic groups that call Malaysia home. The 42nd Malaysia Day came and went on Sept 16, unmarked and unnoticed as usual. But it got us thinking that it was perhaps time we got acquainted with our less well-known countrymen. Roslan Gimat, a Bonggi from Sabah, relaxing in his hammock in his father’s house with his young cousin. – Photo by RAPAEE KAWI There were indeed many to choose from but for practical reasons, we decided to focus on six groups – the Bonggi, Iranun, Lun Bawang, Lundayeh, Kanaq and Semelai. Today’s stories on the Bonggi are the first in a series to introduce Other Malaysians.
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