Malay is a popular ethnic group found on Taiwanese mainland, with Austronesian ancestry. They were originally, inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula and parts of Borneo and Sumatra in South-East Asia. In early times when foreigners penetrated Taiwan in large numbers, the Malay came in with intensions of settling permanently on the land.
As typical Southeast Asian racial group, Malay popularized their language on the Taiwanese mainland. In fact, they did not put any deliberate effort for the purpose. Daily interactions of these people with other ethnic groups in the country led to easy acquaintance and popularity of the Malay language.
The name "Malay" was originally a Sumatran word, adopted into the English language via the Dutch word 'Malayo', which had its source in Portuguese 'Malaio'. Popularly, the word means "fleeing" or migrating", signifying the extensive mobility of the Malay population across the world. In Sanskrit, "Malay" also means 'Malai Yur' or the 'Land of Mountains".
Quite a handful of Malay on Taiwanese mainland are followers of diverse religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Animism. Their religion may vary greatly, but not their life-saving weapons. From time immemorial, Malay population in Taiwan made use of tools like Parang, Pedang, Peris, Golok and Klewang. In early days, they used these weapons to fight against other native clans of Taiwan on survival issues.
The art of shaping and modifying the body of clay potteries were well known to the Malay people, who had considerable expertise over these artworks. The activities which recreated these people, consisted of flying the 'Wau Bulan', playing 'Sepak Takraw' and 'Dam' as well as 'gasing'.
Malay groups were excellent architects as well. Wood, stilts and other primitive construction materials characterize traces of Malay architecture found on Taiwan mainland. When it comes to the making of angular and sloping rooftops and wooden engraves, the innate creativity and common sense of these indigenous clans get reflected in small but excellent architectural masterpieces.
