INTRODUCTION

This chapter is an attempt to explore patterns of change in Semai ritual and identity due to the intensified proximity of the surrounding Malay society. The 30,000 Semais of Peninsular Malaysia live in an area ranging from the western lowlands to the slopes and forested highlands on either side of the mountainous central spine of the Peninsula. Various dialects and local customs can be detected among the many communities in the region. Historically, reasons for this variety can be sought in both geographical and political factors. The river-valley-based communities are practically isolated from neighbouring groups because of the terrain. Furthermore – or consequently – the “couleur locale” can be explained by the autonomous character of the Semais due to a lack of an overarching tribal political structure.

Apart from a pattern of intra-tribal differentiation due to the relatively autonomous development of local bands, the key to understanding their adapting to exogenous influences must be sought in the concept of proximity. There are two sides to proximity. First, there were long-term contacts between the Peninsular cultures for at least two millennia, which I term historical proximity. The outcome of this has always been a rather balanced – though not necessarily peaceful or harmonious – cohabitation in which all the groups involved were able to occupy their own respective cultural and ecological niches. They were thus consequently able to retain their respective identities. All cultures evolved vis-à-vis the other and specific exogenous factors.

Second, and more importantly, during the second half of the twentieth century proximity got a new face. It is common knowledge that Malay influence can be felt on the edges of all Orang Asli community areas. The need for accommodation to a rapidly changing environment on the west side – both physically and culturally – has led to a pattern of increased cultural borrowing from and adaptation to the Malay example. This process has provided for an additional and pronounced east-west differentiation among the Semais. Nowadays, the majority of the West Semais literally live next door to Malay communities in lowland Perak and have more or less adopted an almost rural Malay lifestyle. In the hilly east, the relative physical and thus cultural isolation has only recently started to be affected by a pattern of increased contact and involvement with the outside world, as discussed below.