Semoq Beri in Malaysia

The Semoq Beri have only been reported in Malaysia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Semoq Beri ("people of the jungle") are one of the nineteen Orang Asli people groups of Peninsular Malaysia. They belong to the Senoi subgroup.
They refer to themselves as Semoq ("people") and are called Semoq Beri by their neighbors. They are also referred to in relevant literature as the Jakun of Tekai River and erroneously as the Semelai. The Semoq Beri live in settlements located in the jungles of the Jerantut, Kuantan, and Maran districts in Pahang and the Hulu Terengganu and Kemaman districts in Terengganu.
In the Malaysian Department of Aborigines nomenclature, Semoq Beri refers to a culturally diverse grouping of Orang Asli living in a large area along the eastern and northern tributaries of the Tembeling and Pahang Rivers.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Semoq Beri have a common understanding within their society that each group has its own territory. The boundaries are clearly defined and maintained through mutual respect and any access to resources is available on demand - for instance, rights to make a garden are acquired by felling trees.
All types of subsistence activities are represented in Semoq Beri society - from hunting to slash and burn agriculture. Those living in government settlements are semi-nomads. Although less dependent on forest produce, they still hunt and fish regularly and collect some forest produce for trade (rattan, aromatic woods).
The traditional Semoq Beri are hunter-gatherers and are completely dependent on the forest. They use the government village settlement only as a base camp. Except during the rainy season, they move around the forest all year round, hunting and collecting forest produce. They put up temporary camps within the jungle and move from one location to another. Each move can last from two to thirty-six days and cover up to 375 miles (or 600 km).


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Semoq Beri believe in the existence of a Creator God called Tohan as well as numerous genies, spirits, ghosts, and supernatural beings. Certain natural phenomenon such as thunder, lightning, and eclipses are still feared by some of the Semoq Beri. They believe the forest is full of spirits that are an integral part of the human environment, and these spirits communicate with and guide humans during dreams and trances. These non-human beings are everywhere in the forest; not only are they in plants and animals, but also in stones and mountains. Religious rituals are closely linked to their use of the forest. Their lives are also filled with taboos and superstitions due to the fear of spirits that dominate their lives. A small minority of the Semoq Beri are Christian.


What Are Their Needs?

The Semoq Beri are hunter-gatherers and are dependent on the forest. They are a remote and highly mobile people. They are also isolated and impoverished. Pray for positive efforts for outside the culture to help improve their way of life. Pray for believers who will seek to relate the True Creator God to others within the Semoq Beri mobile community.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving workers to the Semoq Beri people.
Pray for the Lord to use dreams and visions to get the attention of the Semoq Beri people.
Pray for disciples to make more disciples in Semoq Beri villages.


Scripture Prayers for the Semoq Beri in Malaysia.


References

Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Semoq Beri
People Name in Country Semoq Beri
Alternate Names
Population this Country 2,500
Population all Countries 2,500
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14840
ROP3 Code 108822
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Peninsular, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan states.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Peninsular, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan states..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
65.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
32.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Semaq Beri (2,500 speakers)
Language Code szc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Semaq Beri (2,500 speakers)
Language Code szc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Semaq Beri

Primary Language:  Semaq Beri

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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