Austronesian Peoples
The great maritime family: peoples from Madagascar through island Southeast Asia to Polynesia, linked by seafaring migrations.
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Malayo-Polynesian39 groups
Antaifasy
Southeastern coast of Madagascar, centered on Farafangana in the Atsimo-Atsinanana region.
Antemoro
Southeastern coast of Madagascar, centered on the lower Matitanana River around Vohipeno and Manakara (Fitovinany region)
Bara
South-central Madagascar, centered on the Ihorombe region around Ihosy and the Horombe Plateau, extending toward the Isalo massif and Ankazoabo.
Bataq
River valleys and uplands of northeastern Palawan, Philippines, in the northern barangays of Puerto Princesa and the municipality of Roxas.
Batin
Upstream and interior Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, along the Batang Hari and its tributaries in the Merangin, Sarolangun, Bungo and Tebo districts
Bukitan
Interior Borneo: Kapuas Hulu regency of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and the interior of central Sarawak, Malaysia; formerly the Saribas river country of southwestern Sarawak.
Bungku
Southeastern coast of Central Sulawesi facing Tolo Bay, centered on Morowali Regency around Bungku town and Bahodopi, with the Menui islands offshore and outliers across the border in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Helong
Semau Island and coastal villages west of Kupang, at the western tip of Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Komering
The Komering River basin in South Sumatra, Indonesia, from Lake Ranau on the Lampung border through Ogan Komering Ulu, OKU Selatan and OKU Timur to Ogan Komering Ilir; large communities in Palembang and Bandar Lampung.
Lotud
Tuaran district on the west coast of Sabah, Malaysia, including the Tamparuli area, with a few villages at Telipok near Kota Kinabalu.
Lun Bawang
Highland interior of northern Borneo: Lawas, Limbang and Ba' Kelalan in Sarawak, Malaysia; Temburong, Brunei; the Sipitang interior of Sabah; and the Krayan highlands of North Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Mahafaly
The semi-arid plains between the Onilahy and Menarandra rivers in southwestern Madagascar, around Betioky and Ampanihy
Malaysian Malays
The Malay Peninsula of Malaysia, with long-established coastal and river-mouth communities in Sarawak, Sabah and the offshore islands; closely tied to Malay populations in Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and southern Thailand.
Masikoro
Southwestern Madagascar: the inland country around Toliara in the Atsimo-Andrefana region, along the Fiherenana and Onilahy river valleys
Mikea
The dry forest and coastal hinterland of southwestern Madagascar, inland of Morombe and north of Toliara
Ngada
Highlands of central Flores, Indonesia, centered on Bajawa in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Osing
Banyuwangi Regency, at the eastern tip of Java, Indonesia, concentrated in the districts around Glagah, Licin, Songgon and Rogojampi.
Paser
East Kalimantan, Indonesia, chiefly Paser and Penajam Paser Utara regencies in the southeast of the province
Proto-Malay
Proposed for the Malay Peninsula and the islands of western Indonesia; the six communities the label covers today live in Peninsular Malaysia, chiefly Pahang, Johor, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
Punan Bah
Longhouse communities on the middle Rajang and its tributaries, chiefly the Bah and Biau rivers, in the Belaga and Bintulu districts of Sarawak, Malaysia, on Borneo.
Raglai
The dry inland hills of south central Vietnam, mainly Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa provinces, with communities in Binh Thuan and southern Lam Dong.
Rotenese
Rote Island and nearby islets, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, with a large community in Kupang and across West Timor.
Sakuddei
Forested interior of south-central Siberut, the largest of the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra province, Indonesia.
Sihanaka
The Lake Alaotra basin in the Alaotra-Mangoro region of north central Madagascar, centered on Ambatondrazaka, Amparafaravola and Imerimandroso.
Tanala
The forested eastern escarpment of southeastern Madagascar, inland from Manakara, around Ikongo, Ifanadiana and Ranomafana.
Malayic26 groups
Akit
Rupat Island and nearby coastal areas of Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia
Aneuk Jamee
Southwest coast of Aceh province, Indonesia, chiefly South Aceh and Southwest Aceh regencies, with smaller communities elsewhere on the west coast
Bangka Malays
Bangka Island and its surrounding islets, in Bangka Belitung Islands province, Indonesia, off the southeast coast of Sumatra
Bengkulu Malays
Bengkulu city and nearby coastal areas of Bengkulu Province, southwest Sumatra, Indonesia
Berau Malays
Berau River basin and nearby coast in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, centered on Tanjung Redeb, Gunung Tabur and Sambaliung
Bruneian Malays
Brunei, centered on the Brunei River and Bandar Seri Begawan; also Labuan, western Sabah and northern Sarawak in Malaysia
Bugis-Malays
Malay Peninsula and nearby islands: Johor and Selangor in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Riau Islands of Indonesia, with related communities in West Kalimantan and Sabah. Ancestral origin in South Sulawesi.
Kaur
Kaur Regency at the southern end of Bengkulu province, on the southwest coast of Sumatra, Indonesia
Kerinci
The Kerinci valley and surrounding highlands of Jambi province, Sumatra, Indonesia, with communities in West Sumatra and on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Kutai
Lower and middle Mahakam River basin in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, centered on Kutai Kartanegara Regency, Tenggarong and Samarinda, with communities in East and West Kutai.
Lematang
The Lematang River valley in South Sumatra, Indonesia, mainly Lahat and Muara Enim regencies and the neighboring Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir regency
Lubu
Forested hills of the Bukit Barisan range along the North Sumatra and West Sumatra border, around Mandailing Natal and Pasaman, Indonesia
Meratus Dayak
The Meratus Mountains of South Kalimantan, Indonesia, in the uplands of Hulu Sungai Selatan, Hulu Sungai Tengah, Balangan, Tabalong, Kotabaru and nearby regencies
Musi
Middle and upper Musi River basin in South Sumatra, Indonesia, chiefly Musi Banyuasin and Musi Rawas regencies
Orang Kuala
West coast of Johor, Malaysia (Batu Pahat and Pontian districts); coastal Riau province and the Riau Islands, Indonesia
Pekal
Coastal lowlands of North Bengkulu Regency around Ketahun, and nearby parts of Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu Province, Sumatra, Indonesia
Seletar
Coasts, estuaries and mangroves of the Johor Strait, mainly villages around Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia; historically also the rivers of northern Singapore
Serawai
Southern Bengkulu province on the southwest coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, chiefly South Bengkulu and Seluma regencies
Philippine22 groups
Formosan6 groups
Ketagalan
Northern Taiwan: the Taipei Basin, the Tamsui and Keelung river valleys, and the north coast between Tamsui and Keelung, extending toward Taoyuan
Polynesian outlier6 groups
Formosan branch6 groups
Bunun
The Central Mountain Range and eastern foothills of Taiwan, chiefly Nantou, Hualien, Kaohsiung and Taitung counties.
Hoanya
Central western Taiwan: the coastal plain and foothills from the Dadu River south through Changhua, Nantou, Yunlin and Chiayi, with a nineteenth century migration inland into the Puli basin.
Paiwan
Southern Taiwan: the lower Central Mountain Range and the coasts on both sides, mainly Pingtung County and southern Taitung County.
Puyuma
The Beinan river plain and neighboring hills of Taitung County, on the southeast coast of Taiwan
Eastern Polynesian6 groups
Mangarevans
Gambier Islands (Mangareva, Taravai, Akamaru, Aukena), French Polynesia, France; some also live on Tahiti
Marquesans
Marquesas Islands (Te Henua Enana), French Polynesia: Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, Tahuata and Fatu Hiva; a large community also lives in Tahiti.
Tauranga Moana
Tauranga harbor (Te Awanui) and the surrounding western Bay of Plenty, from Mauao and Matakana Island inland toward the Kaimai Range, North Island, New Zealand
Central Malayo-Polynesian5 groups
Alune
Western Seram Island, Maluku province, Indonesia, concentrated in West Seram Regency around the Eti, Tala and Sapalewa river basins.
Bimanese
Eastern Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: Bima city, Bima Regency and Dompu Regency
Oceanic5 groups
'Are'are
Southern Malaita, with a related community at Marau Sound on eastern Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
Celebic5 groups
Polynesian →5 groups
Chamic4 groups
Northwest Sumatra-Barrier Islands4 groups
Dusunic branch4 groups
South Sulawesi4 groups
Central Maluku3 groups
Northern Luzon branch3 groups
Ilongot
Upland forests of the southern Sierra Madre and Caraballo Mountains in northern Luzon, Philippines, mainly in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora provinces
Sumba-Flores3 groups
Other Austronesian groups92 groups
Aeta
Mountains of central and northern Luzon, Philippines: Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, and the Sierra Madre
Alas
The Alas River valley around Kutacane, Southeast Aceh Regency, Aceh province, Sumatra, Indonesia
Antankarana
The northern tip of Madagascar, around Antsiranana and Ambilobe, including the Ankarana massif and offshore islands such as Nosy Mitsio.
Babuza
The coastal plain between the Dadu and Zhuoshui rivers, Changhua and Yunlin counties, west-central Taiwan, with descendant communities inland in the Puli basin, Nantou.
Bahau
Upper Mahakam River basin, mainly Mahakam Ulu Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
Bakumpai
The Barito River basin of South and Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, centered on Marabahan and extending upriver to Muara Teweh and Puruk Cahu
Banggai
Banggai Archipelago (Peling, Banggai and neighboring islands) and the Luwuk area of mainland Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Banguingui
Sulu Archipelago, Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula in the southern Philippines; originally Balangingi Island in the Samales group of Sulu
Bantenese
Banten province at the western tip of Java, Indonesia, including Serang, Cilegon, Pandeglang, Lebak and Tangerang
Belait
Belait District in western Brunei (Kuala Balai, Labi, Kuala Belait, Seria) and parts of Tutong District; related communities near Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Bezanozano
The Ankay basin and Mangoro river valley of east central Madagascar, centered on Moramanga.
Biak
Biak, Supiori and Numfor islands in Cenderawasih Bay, Papua, Indonesia, with long-established settlements along the Bird's Head coast, in the Raja Ampat Islands and in towns across Indonesian New Guinea
Boholanos
Bohol island province in the Central Visayas, Philippines; large settler communities in northern and eastern Mindanao, with many more in Cebu and Metro Manila
Bonerate
Bonerate and Karompa islands in the Flores Sea, Selayar Islands Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Bontoc
Central and eastern Mountain Province around Bontoc town and the upper Chico River valley, Cordillera region of northern Luzon, Philippines
Carolinians
Saipan and the other Northern Mariana Islands (United States), with ancestral roots in the outer atolls of Yap and Chuuk states, Federated States of Micronesia
Churu
Southern Central Highlands of Vietnam, chiefly Lam Dong province around Don Duong and Duc Trong, with smaller communities toward the Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan lowlands
Cirebonese
The city and regency of Cirebon on the northern coast of West Java, Indonesia, with related communities in Indramayu and neighboring districts
Dumpas
Eastern Sabah, Malaysia (northern Borneo), chiefly the Labuk-Sugut and Kinabatangan districts of Sandakan Division
Eskaya
Upland interior of Bohol in the central Visayas, Philippines, notably Taytay (Duero) and Biabas (Guindulman)
Gaddang
Upper Cagayan Valley, northern Luzon, Philippines: Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela, with upland Ga'dang communities in Paracelis, Mountain Province, and parts of Kalinga
Ibaloi
Southern Benguet in the Cordillera of northern Luzon, Philippines, including Baguio, La Trinidad, Kabayan, Bokod, Itogon, Tuba and Tublay, with communities in adjacent Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan
Ida'an
Eastern Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo), mainly Lahad Datu and Kunak districts around Darvel Bay and the Segama River, with smaller communities near Kinabatangan and Sandakan
Kanakanavu
Upper Nanzixian River valley in Namasia District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, mainly the villages of Takanua and Maya
Kankanaey
Cordillera Central of northern Luzon, Philippines: western Mountain Province (Sagada, Besao, Bauko, Tadian, Sabangan), northern Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan), and uplands of Ilocos Sur and La Union
Karay-a
Panay Island, Philippines: Antique province and much of inland and southern Iloilo, with pockets in Capiz and Aklan and migrant communities in Mindanao and Palawan
Karo Batak
Karo Highlands (Karo Regency) of North Sumatra, Indonesia, plus parts of Deli Serdang, Langkat and Dairi regencies and the city of Medan
Kavalan
Historically the Lanyang (Yilan) Plain of northeastern Taiwan; today mainly coastal villages in Hualien and Taitung counties on Taiwan's east coast, centered on Xinshe in Fengbin Township.
Kaxabu
The Puli Basin, Nantou County, central Taiwan, with ancestral lands on the Taichung plain
Kayan
Upper river basins of central Borneo: the Apo Kayan plateau and Mahakam in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and the Baram, Rejang and Balui in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Lawangan
Eastern Barito River basin of Central Kalimantan (East, South and North Barito regencies), extending into West Kutai in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.
Ma'anyan
Eastern tributaries of the Barito River, chiefly Barito Timur and South Barito in Central Kalimantan, with communities in adjacent parts of South Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Mamanwa
Northeastern Mindanao, Philippines: the uplands of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, around Lake Mainit and the Diwata Range
Mandailing
Mandailing Natal Regency and neighboring South Tapanuli and Padang Lawas areas of North Sumatra, Indonesia, with communities in West Sumatra, Medan, Jakarta and peninsular Malaysia
Mandaya
Southeastern Mindanao, Philippines: mainly Davao Oriental, also Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and parts of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.
Manusela
Central and north central highlands of Seram Island, around the Manusela valley and Mount Binaiya, Maluku province, Indonesia
Matigsalug
Upper Davao (Salug) River country in the highlands of Mindanao, Philippines: Marilog District of Davao City and the San Fernando area of Bukidnon
Minokok
Interior Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, along the upper Kinabatangan River system, chiefly in and around Tongod District, Malaysia
Moken
Mergui Archipelago of southern Myanmar and the Andaman coast and islands of southwestern Thailand, notably the Surin Islands
Molbog
Balabac Island, its surrounding islets and the southern tip of mainland Palawan, Philippines, with smaller communities on Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia
Nage
Central Flores, mainly Boawae and the surrounding hill districts of Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Orang Sungai
Riverbanks of eastern and northeastern Sabah, Malaysia, especially along the Kinabatangan, Labuk, Sugut, Paitan and Segama rivers
Paitan
Riverine northeastern Sabah, Malaysia, along the Paitan, Sugut, Labuk and Kinabatangan rivers, mainly in the Beluran and Pitas districts
Palawan
Southern Palawan island, Philippines, including Brooke's Point, Quezon, Rizal, Sofronio Española, Bataraza and the Mount Mantalingahan range
Papora
The Dadu plateau and adjoining coastal plain of central western Taiwan, now the Dadu, Shalu, Qingshui, Wuqi and Longjing districts of Taichung, with a later resettled community in the Puli basin, Nantou County
Rampi
The Rampi highlands of North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, near the border with Central Sulawesi
Ratagnon
Southern tip of Mindoro island, mainly the southern end of Occidental Mindoro province, Philippines
Rongga
Southeastern East Manggarai Regency (Manggarai Timur), in and around Kota Komba district, on Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, near the border with Ngada
Sa'ban
Upper Baram River villages in Sarawak, Malaysia (Long Banga, Long Puak, Long Peluan, Long Balong) and the upper Bahau River area of North Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Seediq
Central Mountain Range of Taiwan: Ren'ai Township in Nantou County, and the Wanrong and Zhuoxi area of Hualien County
Simalungun
Simalungun Regency and the city of Pematangsiantar, east of Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Singkil
Aceh Singkil Regency and the city of Subulussalam in southwestern Aceh province, Sumatra, Indonesia, along the Singkil river system near the North Sumatra border
Tagakaolo
Mountains and coast west of the Davao Gulf in southern Mindanao, Philippines: Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces, around Malita, Santa Maria, Malalag and Malungon.
Tidung
Northeastern Borneo: North Kalimantan, Indonesia (Tarakan, Tana Tidung, Nunukan, Bulungan, Malinau) and eastern Sabah, Malaysia (Tawau and Sandakan areas)
Toba Batak
Highlands around Lake Toba and Samosir Island in North Sumatra, Indonesia, with large communities in Medan, Jakarta and other Indonesian cities
Tombonuo
Northeastern Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo), mainly the Pitas and Beluran districts along the Paitan, Sugut and Labuk rivers, with communities toward Sandakan and Kinabatangan
Tsou
The Alishan range and the upper Zengwen river valleys of Chiayi County in south central Taiwan, with communities in Nantou and Kaohsiung.
Tunjung
Middle Mahakam River basin and the nearby uplands around Melak, Barong Tongkok and Sendawar, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Urak Lawoi'
Islands and coastal villages of the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand: Phuket, Ko Lanta, Ko Jum, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Bulon and Ko Lipe in the Butang group
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