Lembak people
Ethnic people in Indonesia
Total population |
---|
Approximately 100,000 (1980 estimate) |
Regions with significant populations |
Languages |
Lembak , Indonesian |
Religion |
Sunni Islam (predominantly) |
Related ethnic groups |
Basemah , Bengkulu Malay , Kerinci , Lintang , Rejang , Serawai |
Lembak people , also known as Linggau people , are a local ethnic group that inhabits several areas of Bengkulu Province and South Sumatra Province in Indonesia . [1] [2] Their original settlements are in the border area between the two provinces, in the Barisan mountain range , with densely clustered villages pattern. [1] [2]
The majority of Lembak people embrace Islam , [1] and the religion influences their daily life. [2]
Etymology
The word lembak has several meanings, namely "valley", "land along meander", or "rear". [1] This may be related to their alleged origin, namely in the Musi Rawas river valley in South Sumatra . [1] [2]
History
Around 2000 BC, the Austronesian (proto-Malay) people who already had a high culture came to the archipelago, including to the Bengkulu area. [3] They already had the ability to sail the seas with outrigger boats, knew astrology, and their livelihood was fishing and farming. [3] They also made clat pots and jars, and already produced certain arts. [3] Around 1000 BC came the Paleo-Mongoloid (deutro-Malay) group, who first lived mainly on the coastal areas as fishermen or traders. [3] The two groups of Malays in time developed into the native tribes of Bengkulu, among others the Enggano people , the Rejang people , the Serawai people , the Bengkulu Malay people , and the Lembak people. [2] [3]
Population
The population of Lembak people is estimated at around 100,000 people (1980). [1] [2] In Bengkulu Province, they mostly live in Talang Empat district in Central Bengkulu Regency , Kepala Curup and Padang Ulak Tanding districts in Rejang Lebong Regency , and in Gading Cempaka district in Bengkulu City . [1] In South Sumatra Province, they settled in Musi Rawas Regency and Lubuklinggau City . [1] The Lembak people have several sub-tribes, namely: [1]
- Lembak Delapan in Central Bengkulu and Bengkulu City
- Lembak Bulang in Bengkulu City and its surroundings
- Lembak Beliti in Rejang Lebong, and South Sumatra
Language
Lembak people have their own language, called Col language (or Lembak language), which is closely related to Malay language . [4] The language has several dialects, namely Lembak Delapan, Lembak Beliti, and Lembak Kayu Agung dialects. [1] [2] [4] The Beliti dialect in Musi Rawas & Lubuklinggau is also known as the Sindang dialect. In the past, their language was written in a traditional script, called surat ulu (or rencong script). [1] [2] [4] However, currently the Lembak people use modern Roman script to conduct their daily activities. [1]
Occupation
Their main occupations have traditionally been growing rice, vegetables and fruit in the fields. [1] [2] Many of their fertile plantation lands are planted with coffee, clove and pepper; while some others work as traders, carpenters etc. [1] In general, farming work is done together according to the season. [1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Hidayah, Zulyani (2020-04-28). A Guide to Tribes in Indonesia: Anthropological Insights from the Archipelago . Springer Nature. p. 181. ISBN 978-981-15-1835-5 .
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Melalatoa, M. Junus (1995-01-01). Ensiklopedi Suku Bangsa di Indonesia Jilid L-Z (in Indonesian). Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan. p. 463.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Daerah, Proyek Penelitian dan Pencatatan Kebudayaan (1977–1978). Sejarah Daerah Bengkulu (in Indonesian). Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan. pp. 22–59.
- 1 2 3 Pratama, Fauzi Setyawan; Faidah, Jamilatun; Widinata, Engga (2022-01-23). "Bahasa Lembak: Sejarah Singkat, Bentuk Pelestarian, dan Statusnya Kini" (in Indonesian). Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa-Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi.