Malay facts for kids

Malay is a word with several important meanings, mostly connected to a special part of Southeast Asia. It can refer to a group of people, their language, or even a large area of land and islands.

People and Language

The Malay People

The Malays are a large group of people who mostly live in Southeast Asia. You can find many of them on the Malay Peninsula, which is a long piece of land, and also on parts of big islands like Sumatra and Borneo. They share a common culture and history.

The Malay Language

The Malay language is spoken by the Malay people. It's an official language in several countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Even though it's the same language, it has slightly different forms in each country.

• Malaysian language: This is the official way Malay is spoken and written in Malaysia.
• Indonesian language: This is the official form of the Malay language used in Indonesia. It's often called "Bahasa Indonesia."
• Old Malay: This refers to older versions of the Malay language. These ancient forms are thought to be the ancestors of the Malay language we hear today.

The Malay Race (Historical Term)

The term Malay race was once used to describe a group of people, mainly those from the Austronesian peoples. This term is mostly historical now and not used much today. It generally referred to people living in the islands and coastal areas of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Geography

Malay Peninsula

The Malay Peninsula is a long, narrow piece of land in Southeast Asia. It stretches south from mainland Asia. Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar have parts of this peninsula. It's a very important area for trade and culture.

Malay Archipelago

The Malay Archipelago is a huge group of islands. It's located between mainland Southeast Asia and Australia. This archipelago includes countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. It's known for its many islands, volcanoes, and amazing wildlife.

Politics and History

Malaysia

Malaysia is a modern country located in Southeast Asia. It's made up of two main parts: Peninsular Malaysia (on the Malay Peninsula) and East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo). It's a country with a rich history and diverse cultures.

Malay States

Within Malaysia, there are nine special states known as the Malay states. These states are unique because they each have a traditional ruler, often called a Sultan, who inherits their position. These rulers play an important role in the culture and traditions of their states.

Melayu Kingdom

The Melayu Kingdom was an ancient kingdom located in Sumatra, which is now part of Indonesia. It was once a powerful kingdom and was even part of the larger Srivijaya empire, which was a very important trading empire in Southeast Asia long ago.

Animals

Malayan Tiger

The Malayan tiger is a special type, or subspecies, of tiger found only in the Malay Peninsula. These beautiful big cats are sadly endangered, meaning there are not many left in the wild. They are known for their striking orange fur with black stripes.

Malayan Tapir

The Malayan tapir is a unique animal found in Southeast Asia. It's a subspecies of tapir, which is a large, pig-like mammal with a short, flexible snout. Malayan tapirs are easy to spot because they have a distinct black and white pattern on their bodies.

Malayan Gharial

The Malayan gharial is a type of reptile, similar to a crocodile. It's also known as the false gharial because its snout is not as narrow as a true gharial's. These reptiles live in freshwater habitats like rivers and swamps in Southeast Asia.

See also

In Spanish: Malay (desambiguación) para niños