Village Introduction: Temuan Villages in Selangor

Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Kempas（TCIC）

Historical origins

Kampung Pulau Kempas, located in the district of Kuala Langat, Selangor, is home to 374 Temuan residents. According to local accounts, the name "Pulau Kempas" is derived from two words: "Pulau" and "Kempas." "Pulau" refers to the peat swamp forest that is often flooded, giving the area the appearance of an island, while "Kempas" refers to the prominent tree species found around the village—Kempas trees.

In 1816, the first village head, Batin Mohamad Bin Dempak, established the first settlement in Pulau Kempas. Under the jurisdiction of Moyang Pelangi (the Chief of the Village), he led not only Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Kempas in Selangor but also Bukit Cheeding, Bukit Perah, and Bukit Lembak, which are located in the outskirts of Jenjarom. Moyang Pelangi, as the chief of the 4 villages, oversaw areas such as Jenang Ljah and Jenang Lanchang and was responsible for the collection of taxes in the Dengkil area.

Moyang Pelangi

Location of Kampung Orang Asli Pulau Kempas and Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Cheeding

Social Structure and Leadership System

The village is led by the village head (Tok Batin), with the assistance of a customs committee to manage village affairs. The positions within the customs committee include:

Tok Batin (Village Chief)	The village leader, responsible for various aspects of community development, economy, culture, and customs, as well as overseeing significant matters in the village.  Meetings are held two to three times a month.  This position was traditionally hereditary but has been changed to an electoral system, though preference is given to the current Tok Batin's son if he is willing to take over.
Pemangku Batin (Deputy Village Chief)	The deputy to the Tok Batin, responsible for acting in his stead when the Tok Batin is absent, such as assisting in officiating weddings and funerals.
Tok Jenang (Mediator)	Responsible for mediating disputes among villagers and offering advice.
Tok Panglima (Security Officer)	Ensures the safety of the villagers and protects the village from external interference.
Tok Cekerah (Traditional Culture Custodian)	Well-versed in traditional customs and responsible for educating villagers about cultural knowledge.
Tok Penggawa (Discipline Manager)	In charge of punishing wrongdoers and assisting Tok Cekerah in conducting rituals.
Penghulu Balai (Hall Manager)	Responsible for managing and handling community halls and traditional ceremonial halls.

Daily Living and Economic Activities:

Work and Sources of Income

The villagers primarily rely on agriculture, selling their homegrown fruits and vegetables. Additionally, some villagers work outside the village as teachers, government employees, and cleaners. Handicraft sales also serve as a major income source for the village, but due to permit restrictions, villagers can only take orders via social media platforms (WhatsApp), and customers must pick up the items in person.

Hunting Activities

The villagers hunt using traps and blowpipes. These tools are mainly made from rattan, bamboo, and wood, sourced from natural resources, reflecting the indigenous people's dependence on and resourcefulness with nature.

Cultural Window

The village is home to the Temuan Cultural Information Centre (TCIC), a gateway for exploring and understanding Temuan indigenous culture. Managed by Temuan villagers themselves, this cultural centre primarily hosts tour groups and visitors. It plays a vital role in preserving and promoting Temuan culture, offering the public a chance to explore and learn more about the Temuan indigenous culture in Malaysia.

Entrance to Temuan Culture Information Centre (TCIC)

Temuan Culture Information Center (TCIC) with Shaq Koyok's painting on the side

Source: Temuan Cultural Information Centre (TCIC)

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Broga Indigenous Village (Kampung Orang Asli Broga)

Entrance of Kampung Orang Asli Broga

Kampung Orang Asli Broga is an Indigenous village inhabited by the Temuan tribe, located in Semenyih, Selangor. Currently, there are about 70 households in the village. The village is situated at the border between Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, and can be accessed via Broga Hill.

The geographical environment of the village is close to mountains and forests, surrounded by dense woods and majestic mountains. Nearby rivers and streams provide important resources for the villagers, reflecting the Temuan tribe's deep dependence on and reverence for nature.

The history of Kampung Orang Asli Broga dates back to 1936. The name "Broga" comes from the area’s past abundance of tin mines, which were highly valuable at the time. Thus, "Broga" is interpreted as "precious" (Berharga). In the Temuan language, the name is pronounced "Berga." However, with the gradual disappearance of oral traditions, many stories and legends about ancestors have been lost over time.

Order and Harmony: The Social Structure and Role Distribution of the Village

The social structure of Kampung Orang Asli Broga is organized with clear divisions of labor, similar to the system of Pengerusi (Chairperson) and AJKs (Committee Members)

Tok Batin (Village Chief)	Responsible for managing village affairs and decision-making, serving as the highest authority in the community.
Menteri (Deputy Village Chief)	Assists Tok Batin in handling daily affairs, acting as the deputy leader of the village.
Tok Jenang (Traditional Culture Custodian)	Maintains and passes down traditional customs and ceremonies, serving as the guardian of traditional culture.
Pemangku (Event Coordinator)	Executes specific traditional activities and rituals, ensuring the continuity of cultural practices.
Penghulu Balai (Celebration Leader）	Responsible for managing the Balai and leading village celebrations or important gatherings.
Panglima Mehitam (Community Coordinator)	Oversees matters related to Adat. Maintaining cultural and social order.
Panglima Meputih (Deputy Community Coordinator)	Assistant to Panglima Mehitam. Supporting Adat-related responsibilities.
Jekerah (Labor Coordinator)	Organizes and distributes labor, managing the village's workforce.
Kano (Forest Development Planner)	Handles forest development and management, focusing on the sustainable use of forest resources.

Village Industry and Daily Life

The main industries in Kampung Orang Asli Broga are agriculture and handicrafts, particularly rubber planting. Many villagers work in their own rubber plantations, tapping rubber in the morning and harvesting vegetables in the afternoon.

With changing times, some villagers have opted to work outside the village, primarily in the service sector, such as gas station attendants and security personnel, to meet the demands of modern life.

Housing Structure

The housing structure in Kampung Orang Asli Broga reflects a blend of tradition and modernization, as villagers maintain their cultural identity while gradually adapting to modern lifestyles. The houses in the village are generally divided into two styles: traditional stilt houses and modern buildings.