For the Proto-Malays, there are separated into six tribes, namely, Temuan, Jakun, Semelai, Orang Kuala, Orang Seletar and Orang Kanaq.
The Proto Malay was classified into three categories; consists of tribes of Melayu Asli who speak Malay and wear Malay costume (such as Temuan); consists of tribes with the combination of Proto Malays-Senoi from the linguistic and cultural aspect; last category consists of tribes settling at coastal areas and mainly Muslim and speaks Sumatra dialects.
They have their own language and most Jakun people could speak Malay language fluently. Jakun people have straight hair and epicanthal folds as well as a lighter average skin color.
The economic activities of the Jakun were concentrated around locating and seeking resources from the forest. The trading of forest and agricultural products in the market has resulted in a wider use of money. Collecting and growing subsistence material require considerable time and patience, whereas the forest harvests can yield immediate cash benefits, and these harvests are easily found and have not been exhausted as are the subsistence products.
Animisme is still practiced among Jakun people until today. According to the Jakun people, they really believe of the spirit of nature like mountain, rivers, caves and many more. They strongly believe that the disaster will happen to their village for any breaching of nature rules.
Although the Jakun people are known as superstitious, studies indicated that the Jakun community has inherited wide knowledge from their ancestors to treat common ailments as they also inherited quite an extensive knowledge on herbs and healing powers.
Study shows the Jakun community of Endau-Rompin have strong knowledge about the medicinal uses of medicinal plants in their surroundings. This knowledge has been passed down from one generation to the next.
Orang Asli Jakun
