MALAYS, a people inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and the Eastern or Malay Archipelago, or collectively Malay sia. They are of Mongolian affinity, and may be looked on as an oceanic branch of that division of mankind, being modi fied physically by mingling with the Papuan element in the E. and the Cau casian element in the central and W. parts of the archipelago. This enter prising 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 popu lation. This widespread dominion is due to their bold, enterprising, and roving disposition, their place of residence on the peninsula and the larger islands be ing 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 yellowish. In various respects they bear
a close resemblance to the Mongolians of Eastern Asia, but differ from them radically in language, all their dialects belonging to a distinct Malayo-Polyne sian 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 aban doned for the more settled occupations of trade and agriculture, though the old spirit occasionally shows itself in out breaks of murderous frenzy, known as "running amuck." Intellectually they seem at a low level, and have never developed a native literature, such civi lization as they possess being due to Arab and Hindu influence. Under these incitements they have developed consid erable poetic and dramatic literature, and historical and other prose writings.