Orang Laut facts for kids
An Orang Laut family living in a boat, circa 1914–1921.
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| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
Andaman Archipelago: India Myanmar
Malay Peninsula:  Thailand Malaysia
Riau Archipelago:  Indonesia
 Singapore |
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| Languages | |
| Loncong language, Orang Seletar language, Malay language | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Orang Kuala, Orang Seletar, Sama-Bajau, Moken, Urak Lawoi’ people |
The Orang Laut are a group of people who live near the sea. They are mostly found around the Riau Islands in Southeast Asia. Their name means "sea people" in the Malay language. For a long time, they have been known for their amazing skills on the water.
Where Do the Orang Laut Live?
The Orang Laut live in many different places. You can find them on islands and along the coasts. Their homes are spread across the Riau-Lingga Archipelagos and the Pulau Tujuh Islands. They also live in the Batam Archipelago. You can find them along the eastern coast of Sumatra. Some also live on islands near southern Malaysia and Singapore.
A Look at Orang Laut History
The Orang Laut played very important roles in history. They helped powerful kingdoms like Srivijaya, the Malacca Sultanate, and the Sultanate of Johor. These kingdoms were important trading centers long ago.
The Orang Laut were like sea guardians. They would patrol the waters nearby. They helped keep trade routes safe. They would stop real pirates from attacking ships. They also guided traders to their employers' ports. This helped these ports become very strong in the region.
One of the first descriptions of the Orang Laut might be from the 14th century. A Chinese traveler named Wang Dayuan wrote about the people of Temasek. Temasek is what Singapore is called today. He wrote about them in his book Daoyi Zhilüe.
Images for kids
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Villages of Orang Laut in Riau Islands.
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An Orang Laut woman in Solok, Jambi southern Sumatra
