Proto-Malay
The term Proto-Malay, primeval Malays, proto-Hesperonesians, first-wave Hesperonesians or primeval Hesperonesians, which translates to Melayu Asli (aboriginal Malay) or Melayu Purba (ancient Malay) or Melayu Tua (old Malay), refers to Austronesian speakers who moved from mainland Asia, to the Malay peninsula and Malay archipelago in a long series of migrations between 2500 and 1500 BC, before that of the Deutero-Malays about a thousand years later. The Proto-Malays are descendants of the first humans living in Southeast Asia, and are "ancestral" for humans in east Asia and the Americas.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Malay Archipelago: | |
| Malaysia | c. 89,180 (2010) |
| Indonesia | no specific census |
| Philippines | no specific census |
| Languages | |
| Malayic languages, Semelaic languages, Philippine languages, Batak languages, Dayak languages, Indonesian language, Malaysian language, Filipino language, English language | |
| Religion | |
| Animism, Islam, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Senoi (Semaq Beri people, Mah Meri people), Orang laut, Malays (ethnic group), Native Indonesians, Malagasy people | |
The Proto-Malays are believed to be seafarers knowledgeable in oceanography and possessing advanced fishing as well as basic agricultural skills. Over the years, they settled in various places and adopted various customs and religions as a result of acculturation and inter-marriage with most of the people they come in contact with Orang Asli tribes such as the Semang and Senoi peoples.