Malays
a people inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and the Eastern or Malay Archipelago, or collectively Malaysia. They are of Mongolian affinity, and may be looked on as an oceanic branch of that division of mankind, being modified physically by mingling with the Papuan element in the E. and the Caucasian element in the central and W. parts of the archipelago. This enterprising race has made its way widely over the Pacific islands, reaching as far S. as Madagascar, where they exist as the dominant Hova element of the population. This widespread dominion is due to their bold, enterprising, and roving disposition, their place of residence on the peninsula and the larger islands being the coast region, whence they have driven the natives into the interior and where they long pursued a piratical career, darting from hidden streams in their well-manned proas on any vessel that approached too near the coast, or more boldly lying in wait in fleets in the open sea for any expected rich prize.
Physically considered, the Malays are of low stature, slight in figure, and with very small wrists and ankles. The face is round, the eyes black and somewhat almond-shaped, the nose short and small, cheek bones prominent, features flat, the hair straight and black, the complexion MALCOLM MALET yellowish. In various respects they bear paper, card and tassel, last and boot- tree, leather factories, etc. Pop. (1910) a close resemblance to the Mongolians 44,404; (1920) 49,103. to the Mongolians tree, leather factories, etc. Pop. (1910) of Eastern Asia, but differ from them 44,404; (1920) 49,103 radically in lan language, all their dialects belonging to a distinct Malayo-Polynesian family which is widely distributed throughout the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Of late years the lessons taught them by European naval vessels have forced the Malays to desist from piracy, their old lawless, roving habits being largely abandoned for the more settled occupations of trade and agriculture, though the old spirit occasionally shows itself in outbreaks of murderous frenzy, known as "running amuck." Intellectually they seem at a low level, and have never developed a native literature, such civilization as they possess being due to Arab and Hindu influence. Under these incitements they have developed considerable poetic and dramatic literature, and historical and other prose writings. various