The Malays are Terengganu largest ethnic group, accounting for over 95% the population. The Malay people in Malaysia were probably immigrated from Sumatra especially during the golden era of Sultanate of Melaka. With the oldest indigenous peoples they form a group called bumiputera, which translates as “sons” or “princes of the soil”.
Almost all Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the Middle East. Due to the strong religion hold, man in a typical Muslim family is always the bread winner and decision maker for the family, Malay female especially from the villages or rural area always remain the house, taking
care of the family. However, situation is of little different where you might notice that there are more female trader than male in certain areas such as the centre market in Kuala Terengganu. This is simply because as the bread winner, males are always the fishermen or farmers which involve greater physical strength.
Partly because of their nature, most of the Malays earn their living in fishing and farming industries, this explains to why they are the majority in Terengganu state where there are still numbers of traditional and typical villages here while the other part of the country has already had skyscraping buildings standing as a sign of development.
Traditional Malay culture centers around the kampung, or village, though today one is likely to find Malays in the business and in public sectors.
Therefore you can still see Malay man in their sarong and songkok fishing in a wooden sampan in any of the rivers or chatting while having cup of coffee in a road side coffee shop. General speaking, the Malays are always warm-hearted, easy-going and very relaxed.
