The Orang Barok were believed to have originated from Sebarok Island. Unlike most Orang Laut communities in Singapore, the original Orang Barok community adhered to animist beliefs. William Skeat noted that during his visit to Singapore,Orang Kay a Mepar (Che Muntel) was chief of the Orang Barok. The Orang Barok shared many similarities in terms of culture and way of life with the Orang Mantang, Tambus and Posik. Most of the Orang Barok community eventually migrated to Singkep and Lipan Island in the Riau Archipelago before the formation of the Indonesian state. Images featured in this post showcases a Malay community from Sebarok Island. Could the last Malay community be descendants of the Orang Barok?

References :
Skeat, W. W., and C. O. Blagden (1906). Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula. 2 vols. London: Macmillan.

Skeat, W. W., and H. N. Ridley (1900). “The Orang Laut of Singapore.” Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 33:247-250.