Mythologies of the Orang Laut Tribe

The Orang Laut are several seafaring ethnic groups and tribes living around Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau Islands. The Orang Laut are commonly identified as the Orang Seletar from the Straits of Johor, but the term may also refer to any Malayic-speaking people living on coastal islands, including those of the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar and Thailand, commonly known as Moken. The population of the tribe in the 21st century is estimated to be 420,000 people. The Malay term orang laut literally means 'sea peoples'. The Orang Laut live and travel in their boats on the sea. They made their living from fishing and collecting sea products. Another Malay term for them, Orang Selat (literally 'Straits people'), was brought into European languages as Celates. Historically, the Orang Laut played major roles in Srivijaya, the Sultanate of Malacca, and the Sultanate of Johor. They patrolled the adjacent sea areas, repelling pirates, directing traders to their employers' ports and maintaining those ports' dominance in the area. In return, the ruler gave the Orang Laut leaders prestigious titles and gifts. The earliest description of the Orang Laut may have been by the 14th century Chinese traveler Wang Dayuan who described the inhabitants of Temasek (present day Singapore) in his work Daoyi Zhilüe.

Over time, the Orang Laut have been assimilated into Malay culture and have lost their language. But descendants of the seafaring nomads are reviving their culture through food. Visits to Asnida Daud's late grand-aunt's flat always promised a mouth-watering spread, with the family sitting cross-legged on the floor and eating with their hands in the customary way. Years after her grand-aunt had been resettled into a one-bedroom flat in Clementi, a residential estate in the south-western part of mainland Singapore that's a far cry from the stilted village on the shores of Pulau Sudong island where she used to live, she continued to make food the only way she knew, evoking a nostalgic longing for the island's white sandy beach and carefree way of life. The highlight of the meal was usually a fiery red asam pedas (sour and spicy fish stew) made with ikan pari (stingray), the perfect accompaniment to plates of fluffy white rice. "It's so spicy your sweat drips onto your rice as you eat, yet you can't stop eating," enthused Asnida. Now an off-limits military training area, Pulau Sudong, an island off mainland Singapore's southern coast, was once home to the Orang Laut (Malay for "sea people"), who are indigenous to Singapore and are believed to be Singapore's first inhabitants. The earliest mention of these seafaring nomads comes from a book by a Chinese traveller to Singapore in the 14th Century, hundreds of years before the arrival of the British in 1819. Singapore's Orang Laut tribes include the Orang Seletar who lived in the mangroves near the Seletar River; the Orang Biduanda Kallang from the Kallang River; the Orang Gelam at the mouth of the Singapore River; and the Orang Selat from the Southern Islands. There are also other Orang Laut communities living on houseboats at sea in southern Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia's Riau Islands.

Orang Laut are several seafaring ethnic groups and tribes living around Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau Islands. The Orang Laut also known as the Orang Biduanda Kallang and are commonly identified as the Orang Seletar from the Straits of Johor, but the term may also refer to any Malayic-speaking people living on coastal islands, including those of the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar and Thailand, commonly known as Moken.[Source: Barbara S. Nowak,“Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; Wikipedia]Orang Laut is a Malay term that laut literally means 'sea peoples'. They have traditionally lived and traveled in their boats on the sea and made a living from fishing and collecting sea products. Another Malay term for them, Orang Selat (literally 'Straits people'), was brought into European languages as Celates. In the story The Disturber of Traffic by Rudyard Kipling, a character called Fenwick misrenders the Orang Laut as "Orange-Lord" and the narrator character corrects him. Sea-dwelling Orang Laut once roamed a large area but are now gone or mostly gone or have taken up life on land. Skeat and Ridley reported that there were only eight Orang Laut families left out of the 100 families removed from Singapore to Johor in 1847. The Orang Laut population in the 2000s was is estimated to be 420,000 people, nearly all land-based people. 1983 population figures for Orang Laut in Malaysia included 1,924 Desin Dolaq and 542 Orang Selitar. Figures for Riau-Lingga, Bangka, and Billiton Orang Laut are unknown.

Our project takes its name in recognition of the Orang Laut (OL), the indigenous maritime communities of Singapore, whose histories have been overlooked by the dominant narratives of Singapore's history. Here, we seek to honor their rich contributions to Singapore's cultural heritage today. More than simple seafarers, they were diverse and dynamic actors in the the Southeast Asia's maritime world; from being the Johor Sultanate's loyal allies and helping the kingdom secure trade routes, to their everyday trading activities on Singapore's shores, they've played a far more crucial role in Singapore's story than history gives them credit for. Yet, this is not simply about them as "historical figures", as they have commonly been portrayed. Rather than presenting them merely as people of the past, the descendants of the Orang Laut live among us today, carrying with them the stories, skills and knowledge passed down through generations, with some starting their own initatives to keep their cultural practices alive and reignite kinship networks that have been strained by urban displacement.

Singapore’s economy has undeniably flourished, with its economic development and rapid industrialisation. Since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore’s GDP growth has averaged about 7%, with an impressive peak of 9.2% in the first 25 years1. This success can be attributed to a combination of strategic economic policies, a robust financial sector, a commitment to innovation and education and many more. Although known for its rapid development, one aspect that is often overlooked would be the rich intangible culture that Singapore has to offer. One of the most fascinating yet often overlooked aspects of this intangible culture is the story of the Orang Laut (meaning ‘sea people’ in Malay) who once dominated the waters of Singapore. Now, the islands are currently used for different functions: recreational, petrochemical production, oil storage, and others. Although these are seen as positive developments by Singapore as it contributes to economic activities, such developments fail to consider the negative impact of these transformations — especially on the Orang Laut community. Preserving the legacy of the Orang Laut is crucial for maintaining a connection to Singapore's historical and cultural identity. This article delves into the rich intangible heritage of the Orang Laut and highlights the significance of their narrative, not just for the Orang Laut community, but for all Singaporeans. Before diving into that, let us deep dive into what intangible heritage means to Singapore. Singapore’s intangible heritage encompasses a diverse array of traditions, practices, and expressions that form an essential part of the nation’s cultural identity. From performing arts, festive events, to knowledge and culture, these intangible cultural elements are woven into the fabric of Singaporean society. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) theory highlights the importance of preserving these non-physical aspects of culture, recognising them as living traditions passed down through generations2. ICH theory further stresses that the dynamic and evolving nature of culture underscores community participation3. Ultimately, ICH is expressed through processes, know-how, skills and abilities that are passed down through generations, which also includes associated objects and cultural spaces. Hawker culture is deeply ingrained into the Singaporean culture, characterised by a combination of a variety of foods from different cultures coming together in one unique communal dining space. It serves as a gathering place for families and friends, offering an extensive variety of choices that makes it a go-to spot for those who are not able to decide what to eat. The food that originates from the food cultures of different ethnicities and cultures has over time evolved into distinctive local dishes that we love today, forming an important part of Singapore’s food heritage.