Jehai in Malaysia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Jehai are one of the nineteen Orang Asli people groups living in Peninsular Malaysia. They are classified under the Semang (officially called Negrito) subgroup. They refer to themselves as Jah Jehai or Orang Semang.

The Jehai, like all other ethnic groups of the Semang, are generally of short stature with darker skin and have more curly hair.

Jehai settlements are by the rivers and lakes located in the Jeli district of Kelantan and the Hulu Perak district of Perak. One such settlement is at the edge of the Temengor Lake located in the State of Perak.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Jehai lead a semi-nomadic life. Therefore, it is difficult to establish the number of this migratory indigenous group. Population estimates run from 750 to 1,250. The Malaysian government has tried with little success to get the Jehai people to settle down and farm, although a few of them have accepted this challenge. The government's effort was prompted by the desire to convert the traditionally Jehai animists to Islam. The Jehai are expert hunters with blowpipes and poison darts. In fact, a pleasurable afternoon for any Jehai boy is spent practicing his blowpipe skills by shooting at tree branches. This is how, along with fish trapping, these tribal people survive as they travel through the rain forests of the peninsula.

Today they seem to enjoy medical and educational facilities and have police protection. They are less mobile than in the past due to the gradual change from shifting cultivation to semi-sedentary agricultural cultivation. Yet, they are still semi-nomadic, preferring to take advantage of the seasonal bounties of the forest. A fair number also live in urban areas and are engaged in both waged and salaried jobs. Their staple food is tapioca, which they cultivate around their villages. They collect fruits from the forest and hunt small mammals or fish. They also harvest rattan and bamboo, which has multiple of uses for the Jehai community.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jehai are animists. Black magic and superstitions are very strong among the Jehai. They fear the Karei; a malevolent spirit that they believe brings death and disaster whenever taboos are broken. The headmen and witchdoctors (Tok Halaq) are an influential group of people in the tribe. The Jehai are steeped in superstitions and taboos that have been developed and preserved for generations because of adverse circumstances. Even with the influence of technology and modern conveniences, the mindset and way of life for many have not changed. Therefore, their customs provide important clues to knowing their mindset.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Jehai families are gripped by poverty. Community development is poor in terms of healthcare and literacy. Pray that believers will reach out to help in compassionate ways that will show them the love of their Creator. Because the Jehai live in the jungle along rivers and lakes, they are very difficult to access from the outside. Pray for individuals who are willing and able to make the sacrifice to respond to the needs of these people.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Jehai in Malaysia.


Profile Source:   Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Jehai
People Name in Country Jehai
Alternate Names Jahai; Jehai Orang Asli
Population this Country 1,600
Population all Countries 1,800
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12309
ROP3 Code 104150
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 Peninsular, Northeast Perak and west Kelantan states.   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 Peninsular, Northeast Perak and west Kelantan states..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 20.00 %)
33.00 %
Ethnic Religions
47.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
20.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Jehai (1,600 speakers)
Language Code jhi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Jehai (1,600 speakers)
Language Code jhi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Jehai

Primary Language:  Jehai

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Paul Chen 
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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