Page 7 - GS58346 Tasik Chini

Socio-Demography of Tasik Chini

• The Tasik Chini catchment is inhabited by aboriginal communities from • The older generation, regards themselves as the ‘settlers’ of the
the Jakun tribe (known as Orang Asli) and other local communities areas. On the other hand, the younger generations became the
from eight main settlements. ‘followers’ as many of them were the family members of the first

• The total population of Orang Asli is 523, comprising 95 families. Two generation.
Malay kampungs and five FELDA Chini schemes were identified • The youngs were encouraged to go to school, as many of their

around Tasik Chini parents accepted the fact that access to education would lead to

• They live closely with their family members in several areas better livelihood. There is a primary school located in Kg Gumum and
surrounding the lake of Chini since 1960s. The Jakuns prefer staying a secondary school in Felda 1, within the vicinity of their kampongs.
in an individual dweller as most of them are nuclear family units.

However, their siblings or the children's live nearby their home or
dwellers.

• In the older days, the Jakuns realized on shifting cultivation, hence,
seldom stayed in permanent places. Instead, they moved to another
place, and returned to cultivate on the same plot many years later.

Today, most of the Jakuns stayed permanently in one settlement.

• Kg Gumum is the main settlement of the community, with many of the
urban facilities, electricity and water were provided by the governnent.

• The local community in Tasik Chini has an intimate spiritual
connection with the lake’s ecosystem as reflected in their culture
and folklore. Legend has it that the lake was the site of an ancient
Khmer city known as the Lost City of Gold, now completely

submerged and guarded by mystical monsters. The Jakun people
believe that the serpent Naga Seri Gumum is the spirit and
guardian of the lake