Semelai people


Semelai people are an Orang Asli people of the Proto-Malay people group found in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang states of Malaysia.

Settlement area

They are divided into two major groups, namely:-
The population of the changes of the Semelai population are as the following:-
Year196019651969197419801991199319962000200320042010
Population3,2381,3912,3912,8743,0964,7754,1034,1035,0266,4187,1989,228

The 2010 census, the Temoq people were included in the Semelai population due to the small numbers of Temoq people.

Music

The Semelai music have been passed down for generations except with little modification to suit with the modern times. There are two musical instruments used, which are the Rebana and Gong. This musical style is often performed in community halls or houses during feasts, weddings, circumcision ceremonies, gatherings and welcoming visitors for the purpose of entertainment. This music is performed with songs sung in Semelai language. There are also dances but it is only done with regulation and under certain requirements. The music of the Semelai is also used for healing purposes, such as singing in fertility ceremony.

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