Alfuros
Encyclopedia
Alfur people, Alfurs, Alfuros, Alfures, Alifuru or Horaforas (Dutch
= Alfuren) is a broad term originally applied by the Malays to all the non-Muslim
peoples living in inaccessible areas of the interior in the eastern portion of the Maritime Southeast Asia
.
, but until the 1900's Papuans were also often called 'Alfur'.
The term was not restricted to local aborigines displaying Austronesian, Negrito
or Papuan features, but was frequently used to describe the tribes of Malayan blood as well.
Although generally claimed to be a term of no ethnological value, the word "Alfuren", allegedly from old Malay for "forest people", was used in the early 20th century by German
anthropologist Georg Friederici in his works. He used it in a more specific manner to refer to the aborigines or early inhabitants of Maluku, and by extension to those from the island of Sulawesi
.
and their ways, the term Alfurs is used nowadays without derogatory meaning. In present-day publications like guide book
s "Alfur" is included as a generic name for the indigenous people living in forest areas of the larger islands of the Maluku, like Halmahera
, Buru
or Seram
.
Generally these people keep their traditional self-sufficient ways in matters of social organization, food and dress. The women often wear a characteristic funnel-shaped basket like a backpack. Alfur people usually have little contact with the more urbanized society of coastal towns, which includes the transmigrasi settlers.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
= Alfuren) is a broad term originally applied by the Malays to all the non-Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
peoples living in inaccessible areas of the interior in the eastern portion of the Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia refers to the maritime region of Southeast Asia as opposed to mainland Southeast Asia and includes the modern countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, East Timor and Singapore....
.
Origin
The origin of the word is uncertain, but it was used formerly as meaning "wild", "pagan" or "unrefined". The term was used especially in the Maluku IslandsMaluku Islands
The Maluku Islands are an archipelago that is part of Indonesia, and part of the larger Maritime Southeast Asia region. Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plate within the Molucca Sea Collision Zone...
, but until the 1900's Papuans were also often called 'Alfur'.
The term was not restricted to local aborigines displaying Austronesian, Negrito
Negrito
The Negrito are a class of several ethnic groups who inhabit isolated parts of Southeast Asia.Their current populations include 12 Andamanese peoples of the Andaman Islands, six Semang peoples of Malaysia, the Mani of Thailand, and the Aeta, Agta, Ati, and 30 other peoples of the Philippines....
or Papuan features, but was frequently used to describe the tribes of Malayan blood as well.
Although generally claimed to be a term of no ethnological value, the word "Alfuren", allegedly from old Malay for "forest people", was used in the early 20th century by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
anthropologist Georg Friederici in his works. He used it in a more specific manner to refer to the aborigines or early inhabitants of Maluku, and by extension to those from the island of Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. In Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra have larger Indonesian populations.- Etymology :The Portuguese were the first to...
.
Present-day use
Following increased awareness and respect for indigenous peoplesIndigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
and their ways, the term Alfurs is used nowadays without derogatory meaning. In present-day publications like guide book
Guide book
A guide book is a book for tourists or travelers that provides details about a geographic location, tourist destination, or itinerary. It is the written equivalent of a tour guide...
s "Alfur" is included as a generic name for the indigenous people living in forest areas of the larger islands of the Maluku, like Halmahera
Halmahera
Halmahera is the largest island in the Maluku Islands. It is part of the North Maluku province of Indonesia.Halmahera has a land area of 17,780 km² and a population in 1995 of 162,728...
, Buru
Buru
Buru is the third largest island within Maluku Islands of Malay Archipelago. It lies between the Banda Sea to the south and Seram Sea to the north, west of Ambon and Seram islands. The island belongs to Maluku province of Indonesia and includes the Buru and South Buru regencies...
or Seram
Seram
Seram is an island in the Maluku province of Indonesia. It is located north of Ambon Island. The chief port/town is Masohi.- Geography and geology :...
.
Generally these people keep their traditional self-sufficient ways in matters of social organization, food and dress. The women often wear a characteristic funnel-shaped basket like a backpack. Alfur people usually have little contact with the more urbanized society of coastal towns, which includes the transmigrasi settlers.
See also
- Maluku IslandsMaluku IslandsThe Maluku Islands are an archipelago that is part of Indonesia, and part of the larger Maritime Southeast Asia region. Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plate within the Molucca Sea Collision Zone...
- AmboneseAmboneseThe Ambonese, also known as South Moluccans, are an Indonesian ethnic group of mixed Malay-Papuan origin. They are mostly Christians or Muslims. Ambonese are from Ambon Island in Maluku, an island group east of Sulawesi and north of Timor in Indonesia. The predominant language of the island is...
- ManuselaManuselaThe Manusela population of over 9,000 is centered in the Manusela mountains of North Seram, Maluku, Indonesia.They are also found along Teluti Bay in south Seram, which suggests their name of their tribe....
- NuauluNuauluThe Nuaulu or Naulu are a tribe located in Seram, Maluku, Indonesia.-Description:The Nuaulu are divided into two groups, namely the northern and the southern groups. Numbering at a total of 2500 people, they live in the Amahai district of Central Seram...
- WemaleWemaleThe Wemale are one of the more ancient ethnic groups of Seram Island, Indonesia. They number over 9,000 and live in 39 villages of the central area of the island...
- Ethnic groups in IndonesiaEthnic groups in IndonesiaThere are over 300 ethnic groups in Indonesia. 95% of those are of Native Indonesians ancestry.The largest ethnic group in Indonesia is the Javanese who make up 41% of the total population. The Javanese are concentrated on the island of Java but millions have migrated to other islands throughout...