Temoq people


Temoq people belong to the Proto-Malay of the Orang Asli ethnic group that are found in Pahang, Malaysia.

Settlement area

The Temoq people that are officially recognized are known to settle in two kampungs; on the eastern side of Tasik Bera and on the southern side of Tasik Chini, in between the settlements of the Jakun people and the Semelai people.

Population

The dynamics of the Temoq population are as the following:-
Year1960196519691974198019962010
Population5152100N/AN/AN/ALess than 100

Due to their small population, they have been declared extinct several times by the government by simply absorbing them into other neighbouring Orang Asli groups such as the Jakun people in 1974, 1980 and 1996, and with the Semelai people in 2010 for census and administrative purposes.

Origins

There are two versions on the origins of the Temoq people:-
The language of the Temoq and Semelai people are of the Austroasiatic languages branch, which is different from the Malayic languages of the Austronesian languages branch. Generally Malay language is frequently used along with Semelai language among the western Temoq people, while Jakun language with the eastern Temoq people although they still know Temoq language.

Lifestyle

The Temoq people practice ownership of properties at the individual level. Their main sources of income include agriculture, fishing and hunting.