Orang Seletar
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (3,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Malaysia (Johor) |
1,042 (2010) |
 Singapore
|
1,200 |
| Languages | |
| Orang Seletar language, Malay language | |
| Religion | |
| Animism (predominantly), Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Jakun people, Orang Kanaq, Orang Kuala, Temuan people, Orang Laut | |
Orang Seletar (also known as Selitar or Slitar) are one of the 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Malaysia. They are classified under the Proto-Malay people group, which forms the three major people group of the Orang Asli. The Orang Seletar are also considered as part of the Sea Gypsies. They speak in their own Orang Seletar language.
The Orang Seletar is believed to have originated from Pulau Seletar and Seletar, Singapore. They are the natives of Singapore and among the earliest settlers on the island.
The Orang Seletar were once part of the sea nomads Orang Laut that lived in boats at the sea, islands, coastal areas and estuaries. However, today they have settled inland of Peninsular Malaysia and have their own settlements.
Although the Orang Seletar were originally part of the Orang Laut, the Malaysian government have categorized them as part of the Orang Asli today.
Traditionally, the Orang Seletar are heavily dependent on sea produce. With years of depleting fish along the Straits of Johor and Singapore, they are also known to sell Bakau wood from the mangrove. Hence, the need for them to live a nomadic lifestyle. However, the changes in their socioeconomic have changed their way of living.
Today, the Orang Seletar live in a more organized settlement areas in the southern region of Johor such as Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Bahru. They practice animism but there are also those that converted to Islam.
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Wikipedia