Orang Asli Malaysia

Empowering Communities Through Trade: Elevyn

Orang Asli literally means in Malay language: "original people". They are three main groups: 1. Semang (negrito), 2. Senoi, and 3. Proto-Malay (Aboriginal Malay). The Orang Asli are further divided into 18 sub-ethnic group according to their different languages and customs. The Negritos are usually found in the northern region of the peninsula, the Senois in the central region, and the Proto-Malay in the southern region.

The indigenous people of west and east Malaysia are called Orang Asal, The name Orang Asli refers to indigenous minorities of Peninsular Malaysia.

The name Orang Asli was given during the communist insurgery.

There is an Orang Asli museum at Gombak, which is about 25 km north of Kuala Lumpur. Further there are Orang Asli living near Gerik and on the way up to Cameron Highlands. A visit to these villages is recommended.

Orang Asli from near Taiping in the late 1950's, photos courtesy Mr. Brian Paton

The Orang Asli have a long history in Malaysia. However, they only take 0.5% of the population in Malaysia. The several governments have tried to integrate the Orang Asli into the Malaysian society. The Orang Asli living in remote forest areas. They were the first traders as early as the 5th century. Nowadays they are organized in the Peninsular Malaysia Orang Asli Association (POASM) and become more visible.

Orang Asli Crafts - Elevyn

It is not easy to earn a living as a craftmaker from marginalized or indigenous background. With the falling prices of handicrafts coupled with immense competition from sweatshop items, some craftmakers only pocket less than 10% of its final market price.

Products from Tompoq Topoh, it is located in Carey Island in Banting, Klang and about an hour's drive from KL.

So why not start shopping with a conscience?

Elevyn, a social enterprise established in late 2007, launched www.elevyn.com   to sell and buy handmade items produced by marginalized or indigenous artisans. Its goal is to bring economic justice for craftmakers and to improve livelihoods and financial independence of marginalized or indigenous communities. Elevyn does this by providing a global market access to socially conscious buyers via the internet.

Each time you click and buy an item from www.elevyn.com , up to 85% of the money could go back to an artisan from a marginalized or indigenous community. On top of that, an additional 5% is automatically channeled into a specific cause, e.g. "Send the Kids to School" that support the artisan's community.

There are 8 shops currently on www.elevyn.com . These shops offer a range of hand made products such as traditional jewelry, accessories and scarves by indigenous communities, silk paintings by the deaf and mute women, and bags by victims of sex trafficking.

Elevyn is also shortlisted as one of the two finalists for the Youth Social Enterprise Intiative (YSEI) Start Up Challenge. Elevyn is the only Malaysian fellows in the final stage of the challenge. Help Elevyn raise USD 3000 in product sales by 15 November 2009 by purchasing an item(s) and spread the word to friends and family!

• For more information about Elevyn, please visit http://www.elevyn.com/ 
• Information of the YSEI Start-up Challenge can be found on http://www.elevyn.com/challenge/
• Read about our artisans and Elevyn's work at http://www.elevyn.com/blog/

We from pulau-pangkor.com support the efforts of Elevyn.com and recommend it for buying local Orang Asli and Malaysian crafts products.

Some products of the Rungus people from Sabah

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