APA RESEARCH PAPER

APA Research Paper

The Batek of Malaysia

In this assignment, we have chosen Batek culture of Malaysia. We have identified and analyzed Batek culture's primary mode of subsistence along with the impact that the primary mode of subsistence of the Batek culture has on political organization, values and belief and gender relations.

Introduction

The origins of Batek group relate to the people of Orang Asli which are a diversified cultural group of central Malaysia. Bateks are the native people who reside in the tropical forest of peninsular Malaysia. If we go to the meaning of 'Batek', it means genuine/original people. This name was given by Austronesian people who are the settlers in Malaysia from South east Asia. Due to intrusion, these Austronesian speaking people reside in National Park of Taman Negara. (Endicott 1988 p.116-118) They do not reside permanently at one place due to which they travel around changing their settlement locations, every now and than. The culture of Bateks is very different from that of the general population as they are the nomadic travelers and are very distinct in socio-structural aspects as well.

The Batek Life

If we look back to the past, we can see that by tradition, the Batek group subsisted mainly on the stuff gathered from forests. These include fruits, fish, leaves shoots and minor games e.g. providing food to the monkeys. Later these Bateks started subsisting on commercial food stuff e.g. rice, canned sardines, biscuits, sugar tea due to the increase of cash and betterment of the economy. Additionally, the subsistence on wild food was decreased due to the increase in their dependence on food which is collected from the market. Different movements of Bateks were also affected by its availability. Rivers and streams also play an important role in Batek life. (Tuck 2004 p.2-4) Water was used by Batek people for household purposes as well as for bathing. They collected the fish from the river, and they naturally seem to be territorial boundaries for the Batek people. For these reasons, Batek like to camp near streams or rivers.

Malaysia's law has given some special rights of the indigenous population. These measures include the hunting of protected game species for their consumer rights. Because of this exclusion, the game department is responsible for management of national parks have taken a liberal approach to Batek. They do not oppose their use of natural food or in the park's peaceful life. Currently, they do not even ban trade in gaharu exploitation and Fujiki. If there are more people living in the hunting and gathering with their traditional way of life park permanent, it may greatly influence the ecological park. In this case, the game department will have to prohibit or regulate Batek activities. This means that they may be from these activities are the basic elements of their nomadic life ban. Then, they will be forced more to close at the Post Lebir. Others may join a tour guide, another Batek people who work and firewood collectors in Kuala Lumpur ...