Social and Economic Organization in Rural Malay Society

Abstract

"What are the social consequences of differing environmental and economic adaptations? How does the manner in which people earn a living affect patterns of social interaction in both economic and non-economic relationships? To what extent can we trace the basis of social structure through analysis of the material basis of a society's existence? Answers to these questions were sought during the course of intensive field work in three separate rural Malay communities in Peninsular Malaysia, each of which is engaged in different environmental and economic adaptations. Rice farming, rubber tapping, and fishing, the three adaptations compared in this study, are the most important sources of livelihood for rural Malays."