THE NEGRITOS OF THAILAND

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The Negritos of Thailand comprise several bands of foragers native to Southern Thailand who have inhabited the Malay Peninsula for over 40,000 years. Although generally labeled Semang or Orang Asli in Western ethnology in both Thailand and Malaysia; Maniq or Koy is the preferred term when referring to the Negrito indigenous groups in the Malay Peninsula and those who currently dwell in the Thai provinces of Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. It is important to note that although the Maniq are the only indigenous Negrito people in the Malay Peninsula, they are not considered to be the only indigenous groups living in Thailand and Malaysia.

The Maniq groups in Thailand currently number at around 600 in total, however, the number is still far behind the amount living in Malaysia, which is home to more than 170,000 Maniq. Our knowledge on the Maniq, as with many nomadic groups, is forever changing. The goal of this exhibit is to provide you with the most up to date information on the ethnography of the Maniq.