.jpg) A Cheq Wong man with a child inKrau Wildlife Reserve,Pahang. | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Malaysia: | |
| Pahang | 818 (2010)[1] |
| Languages | |
| Cheq Wong,Malay | |
| Religion | |
| Animism (predominantly),Islam,Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherJahaic-speaking peoples, otherOrang Asli Especially otherSenois | |
Cheq Wong people are an indigenousOrang Asli people of theSenoi branch inPeninsular Malaysia. Although they have the physical appearance of theSenoi sub-group, theCheq Wong language that they speak is closely related to theNorthern Aslian languages.[2]
Cheq Wong language is part of theNorthern Aslian languages.[3] It borrows about 4% of loan words from theKensiu language, despite these two indigenous peoples being separated by a long distance.[4] However, the Cheq Wong language also has features of a Senoic-type language.[5] High rates of loan words fromSouthern Aslian languages especially fromSemaq Beri language (which was also largely influenced byNorthern Aslian languages) indicates that the ancestors of the Cheq Wong people came into contact with Proto-Southern Aslian speakers such as theSemelai people andTemoq people, except theMah Meri people.[6]
They were originally found in only two areas, namelyKrau Wildlife Reserve andRaub District inPahang.[7] Other Cheq Wong villages are also found in areas includingTemerloh andJerantut District inPahang.[8]
Recent developments have caused the settlement areas of the Cheq Wong people to be exposed to the outside world via logging, roads and an elephant sanctuary for tourism.[1] Some of these developments have led to flooding and pollution of river in their area.[9]
The population change of the Cheq Wong people inMalaysia:-
| Year | 1960[10] | 1965[10] | 1969[10] | 1974[10] | 1980[10] | 1982[7] | 1996[10] | 2000[11] | 2003[12] | 2004[13] | 2010[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182 | 268 | 272 | 215 | 203 | 250 | 403 | 234 | 664 | 564 | 818 |
DuringWorld War II, many of the Cheq Wong people were killed by the Japanese army, which is one of the factors that led to the small population of the Cheq Wong people today.[14] During the war, theMalayan Communist Party sought help from them in the Communists' fight against the Japanese army.[15] After the war ended, the Cheq Wong people's homelands were declared a "black area" due to the presence of theMalayan Communist Party rebels during theMalayan Emergency.[14] The government then informed theOrang Asli out of fear that they were helping the communist rebels.[15] Many Cheq Wong were killed by the Communist rebels who suspected them of helping the government, while some were also attacked by the government military who thought that they were helping the Communist rebels.[16]
The Cheq Wong people traditionally adhere to a form ofanimism that makes a distinction between species that possessruwai[what language is this?] (meaning "soul" or "consciousness") and those that do not. There is even a shamanic song that refers to the Japanese war planes flying over the jungle duringWorld War II asruwai.[what language is this?][17]
Similar to theSemaq Beri people'stalan[18] and theTemuan people'scelau,[what language is this?][19] the Cheq Wong people have a sacred law calledtalaiden, where any form of transgression including even laughing or teasing committed against any animals is forbidden.[20] Such offenses result in the punishment of the storm (or snake)talaiden, where storms, rain and thunder will be sent as a form of punishment.[21] Another form oftalaiden that the Cheq Wong people believe is the tigertalaiden, where an incorrect mixing of foods or things will result with the offender being attacked by a tiger.[21]
The Cheq Wong people are regarded[who?] as one of the peaceful and non-violent groups among theOrang Asli. They have a proverb that says, "To be angry is not human; but to be fearful is." The saying underlines the Cheq Wong belief in avoiding conflicts and fleeing from dangers as a natural defensive measure.[22]
Cheq Wong people practice a form of simpleshifting cultivation, as well ashunting-gathering.[23] They are also known for makingblowguns and using them for hunting. However the art of making blowguns is threatened as people now go to the market for meat and no longer need to hunt as frequently as before.[24] They also practice a traditional form ofagroforestry by cultivating fruit orchards among existing tree species with minimal damage to the jungle, unlikepalm oil estates or commercial fruit orchards. This method of cultivation has positive impact on the ecosystem by enriching the variety of flora and providing food for the fauna.[25]