THE ARRIVAL OF INDIANS
Malaysian indians
are Malaysians of indian origin. Basically, 95 precent of indians migrated from india during the British colonisation of Malaya between (1786 and 1957). The majority of these migrants are Tamils; followed by Punjabis, Gujaratis, Telugus, Sindhis, Ceylonese, Malayalees, and other smaller ethnic Indian groups.
Causes of Migration
-Britian had gained control of India and Malaysia.
-British goverment wanted Indian migrats to work in Malaysia due to their knowledge of english.
-An increase in colonial agricultural activities in Malaya led to demand for manpower, which could not be met by the local populace.
-Economic hope in Malaysia due to abundance of jobs.
-Indians had poor economical and educational success in India.
What jobs they fulfill in Malaysia
-They occupied jobs such as traders, rubber and oil estates, policemen, plantation laborer and colonial soldiers
-Indians with good knowlege in english become part of British government.
Two indian males in Malaysia in
early 1900s.
Group of indian loborers.
History and Language
LANGUAGE
"HELLO."
: Va nak kam
"HOW ARE YOU?"
: Nee ep pa di i ruk ki raai ?
"I'M GOOD."
: Naan na lam
"THIS FOOD IS VERY TASTY."
: In the saa paa du ru si yaa
i ruk ku
"THANKS."
: Nan dri
"LET'S EAT."
: Vaa saa pi da laam
"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"
: Un nu dai ya pe yar enna?
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND."
: E nak ku pu ri ya vil lai
Tamil
is used predominantly by the majority of Malaysian Indians - Tamils. However, the younger generation of indians in East Malaysia do not speak much Tamil. They priotise on English because this languages is more useful in daily life.
There are some basic conversation in tamil below.