via Bernama, 04 March 2024: In an effort to preserve the endangered Kensiu language, spoken by the Negrito tribe in Kedah, Malaysia, Wikimedia Community User Group Malaysia has partnered with local universities and the Kensiu community in Kampung Lubuk Legong. The initiative involves documenting the language and culture of the Kensiu people, who number around 350, to prevent the loss of their unique linguistic heritage. Volunteers, including Kensiu youths and university students, are compiling words for the Wikikamus dictionary, while also producing audio and video content to aid in the language’s preservation. This project follows a successful effort with the Mendriq tribe and aims to ensure the survival of Orang Asli languages amid modernization and language assimilation challenges.
Razali who was appointed as Kensiu Community Chief in 2016, said only 60 families were residing in the village then, which had a population of about 200.
“Today, the population has increased to 350 with 85 families living in the village. Except for three families, others are all Muslims,” he said.
Just like the Mendriq tribe, mixed marriage is also prevalent among the Kensui people and other communities of Semai, Temiar, Jahai,Kintaq and Batek tribes.
“To preserve our culture and language, it is compulsory for mixed marriage couples who reside in this village to learn and practise the Kensiu language.
“There are also marriages involving Malays and other races, but most of them choose to stay on their own outside this village,” he said, adding that the issue is among the constraints in preserving the ethnic group’s culture and language.
As such, said Razali, the initiative undertaken by Wikimedia Malaysia is a step in the right direction.
Source: Fokus BERNAMA – Bid To Save Kensiu Orang Asli Language From Extinction
