| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Approximately 100,000 (1980 estimate) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Lembak,Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam (predominantly) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Basemah,Bengkulu Malays,Kerinci,Lintang,Rejang,Serawai |
Lembak people, also known asLinggau people, are a local ethnic group that inhabits several areas ofBengkulu Province andSouth Sumatra Province inIndonesia.[1][2] Their original settlements are in the border area between the two provinces, in theBarisan mountain range, with densely clustered villages pattern.[1][2]
The majority of Lembak people embraceIslam,[1] and the religion influences their daily life.[2]
The wordlembak has several meanings, namely "valley", "land along meander", or "rear".[1] This may be related to their alleged origin, namely in theMusi Rawas river valley inSouth Sumatra.[1][2]
Around 2000 BC, theAustronesian (proto-Malay) people who already had a high culture came to the archipelago, including to the Bengkulu area.[3] They already had the ability to sail the seas with outrigger boats, knew astrology, and their livelihood was fishing and farming.[3] They also made clat pots and jars, and already produced certain arts.[3] Around 1000 BC came the Paleo-Mongoloid (deutro-Malay) group, who first lived mainly on the coastal areas as fishermen or traders.[3] The two groups of Malays in time developed into the native tribes of Bengkulu, among others theEnggano people, theRejang people, theSerawai people, theBengkulu Malay people, and the Lembak people.[2][3]
The population of Lembak people is estimated at around 100,000 people (1980).[1][2] In Bengkulu Province, they mostly live in Talang Empat district inCentral Bengkulu Regency, Kepala Curup and Padang Ulak Tanding districts inRejang Lebong Regency, and in Gading Cempaka district inBengkulu City.[1] In South Sumatra Province, they settled inMusi Rawas Regency andLubuklinggau City.[1] The Lembak people have several sub-tribes, namely:[1]
Lembak people have their own language, calledCol language (or Lembak language), which is closely related toMalay language.[4] The language has several dialects, namely Lembak Delapan, Lembak Beliti, and Lembak Kayu Agung dialects.[1][2][4] The Beliti dialect in Musi Rawas & Lubuklinggau is also known as the Sindang dialect. In the past, their language was written in a traditional script, calledsurat ulu (or rencong script).[1][2][4] However, currently the Lembak people use modern Roman script to conduct their daily activities.[1]
Their main occupations have traditionally been growing rice, vegetables and fruit in the fields.[1][2] Many of their fertile plantation lands are planted with coffee, clove and pepper; while some others work as traders, carpenters etc.[1] In general, farming work is done together according to the season.[1]