The Malay World, home of the various Malayic Austronesian tribes since the last Ice age (circa 15,000–10,000 BCE), exhibits fascinating ethnic, linguistic and cultural variations. The indigenous animistic belief system, which employed the concept of semangat (spirit) in every natural objects, was predominant among the ancient Malayic tribes before the arrival of Dharmic religions. Deep in the estuary of the Merbok River, lies an abundance of historical relics that have unmasked several ceremonial and religious architectures devoted for the sun and mountain worshiping.
The Malay Archipelago, inhabited by various Malayic Austronesian tribes since the last Ice age (circa 15,000–10,000 BCE), displays intriguing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural differences. The indigenous animistic faith system, which utilized the concept of semangat (spirit) in every natural object, was prevalent among ancient Malayic tribes before the introduction of Dharmic religions. In the estuary of the Merbok River, numerous historical artifacts are found that have revealed several ceremonial and religious structures dedicated to sun and mountain worship.