Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

RACIAL CHARACTERS
The term " Semang" has never been satisfactorily
explained. The term " Sakai," on the other hand, has
been (unjustifiably, as I think) explained as meaning
" dog "
; a more possible derivation, as Grtinwedel
points out,^ being from the Sanskrit " Sakhi " =
" Friend," in which case its use would be paralleled by
the alternative Malay name " Sahbat" or "Sabat" (from
Arab. " Sahabat " = " Friend " or " Friendly "), though
even this is hardly a likely explanation.
The word " Sakai " is also used in Malay (as is
*' Semang ") in the sense of retainer or follower of a
native chief. It is thus more or less analogous to Rayat
or subject. This last term is commonly applied
by the Malays to the Mantra and Besisi ; but these
last two tribes prefer to speak of themselves as " Hill
Men" (Orang Bukit), or "Men of the Interior"
(Orang Dalam), and " Men of the Sea" (Orang Laut)
respectively, or else simply as " Jakun."
Finally, the term " Sakai " has not unfrequently
been used, like the expression " Orang Utan," as a
generic term for all the wild men of the peninsula.
It is also frequently used by the Malays in combina-
tion with many of the terms given above {e.g. Sakai
Liar, Sakai Jinak, Sakai Bukit, Sakai Rawang, Sakai
Laut, Sakai Ulu, Sakai Dalam, Sakai Bla), but not as
a rule with the other words mentioned in the list.
The word " Semang " is also occasionally used in a
similar way. But the majority of the names applied
to these tribes by the Malays are purely place-names,
e.g. Orang Kinta (from the Kinta valley in Perak) ;
Orang Klang and Orang Rawang (from places in the
" Klang " and " Langat " districts of Selangor), and
the numerous tribal names of the Orang Laut, such
^ V. B. G. A. xxiii. 830. " Sakei " is an alternative spelling.