Affinity Bloc: Malay Peoples

Overview: The Maluku or Molucca Islands of Indonesia are located east of Sulawesi, west of New Guinea, and north and east of Timor. Most of the islands are mountainous, some with active volcanoes. The islands were historically known as the "Spice Islands" by the Chinese and Europeans. The Central Maluku languages family includes 55 Austronesian languages spoken mainly on the Malukan islands of Seram, Buru, Ambon, Kei, Aru, and Sula. The people groups that comprise the Maluku-Central people cluster are mostly smaller, isolated peoples; only a handful number more than 25,000. Sunni Islam is the predominant religion.

Peoples within this cluster: Alune; Amahei; Ambelau; Ambonese; Asilulu; Bati; Bengoi; Boano; Bobot; Bonfia; Buruese; Elpaputi; Emplawas; Geser-Gorom; Haruku; Hitu; Horuru; Huaulu; Jahalatane; Kaibubu; Kajeli; Laba; Laha, Central Ambonese; Larike-Wakasihu; Latu; Liambata; Liana; Lisabata-Nuniali; Lisela; Luhu; Manipa; Nimboran; Nuaulu, North; Nuaulu, South; Nusa Laut; Saleman; Saparua; Seit-Kaitetu; Sula; Tamilouw; Te'un; Teluti; Tulehu; Wahai; Watubela; Wemale, North; Wemale, South

Countries where they are found: Indonesia; Netherlands