Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

RACE-CHARACTERS OF MALA VAN SEA-G YPSIES 91
distinctive features of the race, though many were
seen possessing the Malayan type strongly marked/
In a previous passage Thomson states that in his
own opinion this tribe of Orang Laut may be
said, with little fear of contradiction, to be merely un-
converted Malays in the general acceptation of the
term, though a distinct class from the Malays properly
so called who poured their hordes over the Archi-
pelago {sic ?) - prior to 1 200 of the Christian era, from
the great river Malayu ("Malayoo"), in Sumatra.
While all the tribes of Malays on the coast of the
Malayan Peninsula and adjoining islands have em-
braced the tenets of Mahomet, they have remained
unaffected by the movement.
Taking into consideration Logan's view as to the
"Tartar" characters of the Jakun quoted above in
dealing with that race, and the close relationship
existing between the Jakun and the Orang Laut,^ it
seems safe to conclude that both are branches of a
Mongoloid stock which probably inhabited the Penin-
sula before the irruption of the more civilised Malays,
who in this case are to be regarded as a specialised
branch of the same stock.
A distinguishing feature of the Orang Laut appears
to be their height, which is about 5 ft. 3
in.^ on an
average, to judge from the scanty measurements avail-
able. That of the Besisi and Blandas appears to be
about 5
But an extensive series of measurements is necessary
ft. I in,^ according to Dr. Martin's statement.
before it is justifiable to make a definite statement on
the subject. I venture, however, to suggest that the
1
2
Thomson, loc. cit.
The interrogation is mine.
5, p. 325 ; also Crawfurd, Descr.
imder " Benua."
Diet.
•* See Newbold, ii. 410, 411, 413,
• 1.6 m.
414 ; and Skeat,y. A'. //. .V. , S.B., No. • 1.54S ni.