Brunei Malay in Malaysia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The largest indigenous people in Brunei are the Kedayan and the Malay.

The Kedayan are Malay-speaking and Muslim agriculturalists. Despite their language and religious affiliations with the ethnic Malay majority, Bruneians regard the Kedayan as closer in status to the animistic, interior tribal groups because of a number of their similar cultural practices.

The sultan of Brunei rules under a national philosophy known as Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Islamic traditions and values and loyalty to the sultan. The activities of political parties are severely restricted.


Where Are they Located?

The Kedayan are residing in Brunei, Labuan, Sabah, and parts of Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Brunei is on the northern coast of Borneo, the world's third-largest island. All its land borders are with the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which splits Brunei into two parts. The landscape is mainly pristine equatorial jungle drained by small rivers. Most settlements are situated along estuaries. There are four districts in Brunei and the Kedayan live in two districts: Brunei-Muara (the capital district), and Tutong, (a center of oil and gas exploitation), in the western part of the country.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kedayan are agriculturalists and experts in making traditional medicines. They also have a reputation for specializing in medicinal plants which they grow to treat a wide range of ailments and to make tonics.

The wedding customs of the Kedayans are not much different from the indigenous Malay ethnic groups in Brunei. Men and women do not openly court each other. These days parents from both sides first meet each other especially during discussions which include sending a proper entourage to seal the formal engagement. Some examples of items that would be agreed for the engagement are a ring and dowry. After a feast, the couple will then return to the bride's residence. Gifts from the groom's family, mainly electrical appliances and groceries, will be given to the couple. The traditional and customary aspects of Kedayan weddings are gradually changing due to convenience, time, and inter-marriage between different ethnic groups.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kedayan beliefs include Islam, Animism, and ancestor worship.
The government of Brunei continues to ban many religious activities of non-Muslim groups, including those of indigenous peoples like the Kedayan. At the same time, the government permits or assists those of the Islamic authorities. These Islamic authorities organize proselytizing activities, which include incentives to indigenous peoples in rural areas such as financial aid, new homes, water pumps, etc. There is thus great pressure for indigenous peoples to convert from animism and ancestor worship to Islam, though a smaller proportion continues to convert to Christianity.

Animism is the worldview that non-human entities—such as animals, plants, and inanimate objects—possess a spiritual essence.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kedayan need to hear and believe the gospel. They need the chance to be confronted with the claims and the holiness of Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray that Christian broadcasts would reach seeking ears of the Kedayan.
Pray for the Bible to be translated into the dialect of the Kedayan people.
Pray that the Brunei government will allow Christian missionaries to openly share Jesus.
Pray that the Kedayan people group would accept the message of Christ and have the opportunity to grow in Him.


Scripture Prayers for the Brunei Malay, Kedayan in Malaysia.


References

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41761764?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
http://www.ethnologue.com/language/kxd
Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Brunei Darussalam : Dusun, Murut, Kedayan, Iban, Tutong, Penan, 2008, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/49749d48c.html
https://www.Worldtravelguide.net


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brunei Malay, Kedayan
People Name in Country Brunei Malay, Kedayan
Natural Name Brunei Malay
Alternate Names Brunei; Dusun; Kadazan; Kadazan Dusun; Kedeyan; Orang Bukit
Population this Country 388,000
Population all Countries 594,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10973
ROP3 Code 101679
ROP25 Code 301422
ROP25 Name Brunei-Kadaian
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South China seacoast, Sabah State, from Kota Kinabalu southwest along shoreline to Labuan Federal Territory and Brunei border; Sarawak State, north Lawas district; continuing southwest from Batang Baram river mouth to Bintulu town.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South China seacoast, Sabah State, from Kota Kinabalu southwest along shoreline to Labuan Federal Territory and Brunei border; Sarawak State, north Lawas district; continuing southwest from Batang Baram river mouth to Bintulu town..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Brunei Malay, Kedayan in Malaysia
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Brunei (388,000 speakers)
Language Code kxd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Brunei (388,000 speakers)
Language Code kxd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Brunei

Primary Language:  Brunei

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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