Malaysia Ethnic



Based on the research for year 2010, the whole population in Malaysia is around 28.3 million and the annual population growth rate is1.7%. Malaysia is a multicultural country and there are consists of many ethnic groups such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indigenous (bumiputera). The non-Malay indigenous groups on the peninsula are called as the aborigines (Orang Asli)

The non-Malay indigenous tribes constitute about half of Sarawak's residents; the largest indigenous group consists of the Sea Dayaks, or Ibans, followed by the Land Dayaks, or Bidayuh. The majority of Sabah's population consists of indigenous peoples, principally Kadazans, Bajaus, and Muruts. The balance is dominated by Chinese.

Source: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Malaysia-ETHNIC-GROUPS.html

Ethnic groups	Percentage of population
Malay	53.3%
Chinese	26.0%
Indigenous	11.8%
Indian	7.7%
Others	1.2%

Source: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2777.htm

Besides that, each ethnic have their own traditional clothing. For example, the malay women will wear baju kurung, baju kebaya and the men will wear baju melayu with a songkok on the head. Sometimes, the men will also wear batik shirts with trousers. Usually, the Indian women wear the sari. The salwar kameez or Punjabi suit is very well-known with northern Indian ladies. The Kurta is the traditional attire for men on formal occasions. The traditional clothes for Chinese women is the cheongsam which is literally 'long dress', also called as qipao and the chinese men wear 'tang yi'. The peranakan ladies also known as Baba Nyonya, they are Chinese immigrants who married with Malay partners. They usually wear the elegant kebaya that can be described as traditional high fashion.


Below have some Malaysia ethnic's photo and each ethic wear their own traditional clothes.

Traditional clothes for women in Malaysia

Traditional clothes for men in Malaysia