Talu establishes ties at a get-together

Parit - The local Talu community, which drifted apart from their kinsfolk in Sumatra two centuries ago, re-established ties at a get-together.

The group of 24 clansmen from Sumatra, led by its chieftain Tuanku Bosa Nagari Talu Dr Fadlan Maalip, met with the locals at the function in Siputeh here on Sunday.

Organising chairman Prof Dr Khalid Mohamed Nor said it was the local Talu community`s first-ever meeting here since the immigrants from Sumatra travelled to the then Tanah Melayu in the 1800s.

“The Talu people have always been a tight-knit community and moved between Tanah Melayu and Sumatra often back then,” said Dr Khalid.

He said since the Dutch and English colonial powers divided the Malay archipelago, the ties of the Talu community here and Sumatra became a relationship of the people of two countries, adding that the community had since drifted apart.

“We wanted locals here to be in touch with the culture of the Talu and be proud of their heritage and legacy.

“We have been planning for the gathering with the Talu community from Sumatra for quite some time.”

He noted that there were about 10,000 Talu people in eight villages throughout Malaysia — four villages in Perak, two in Selangor and one each in Penang and Negri Sembilan.

During the celebration, Dr Fadlan conferred Dr Khalid with the Tuanku Arif Pamuncak award for his effort in maintaining the close relationship among the Talu people in Malaysia.

Dr Khalid said the award made its recipient on par with the chieftain.

Source: http://thestar.com.my (October 28, 2008)

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