Malayan

Malayan is an adjective and historical demonym referring to Malaya, the Malay Peninsula, or its peoples and languages. Historically, Malaya referred to the geographic area on the western part of Southeast Asia, principally the Malay Peninsula, and at times included Singapore and parts of the Straits Settlements. The term appears in colonial and early post-colonial sources to describe the region and its inhabitants.

In older usage, Malayan described the Malay people and the Malay language. Today, the standard ethnonym is Malay, and the language is called Malay. The expression "Malayan" is encountered mainly in historical texts and scholarly works about the colonial era or the broader Malay world.

Geography and administration: Under British rule, the region was known as British Malaya, and later the Federation of Malaya, which gained independence in 1957. In 1963, the federation joined Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia; Singapore left in 1965. Since then, the term Malayan has receded from official usage in favor of Malaysian or Malay in contemporary contexts.

Culture and notes: Malayan culture overlaps with Malay culture, including Islam as a major influence among Malays and traditions in literature, music, and crafts. In modern discourse, Malayan is mostly found in historical or scholarly contexts rather than as a contemporary geographic or demographic label.