In Malaysia, the term Orang Asal (which means "original people" in the Malay language) refers to the communities who have retained their indigenous cultural identity. The indigenous population is the majority in the states of Sarawak and Sabah, and are composed of several distinct tribes. Each tribe has their own history, culture, traditions and languages. Let us meet the lovely Malaysian beauties from indigenous communities, who competed in the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants:
Kartina Osir won the title of Miss Malaysia/World 1978. Before winning the national title, she has held several local beauty titles and was working as a tax assistant. A Kadazan beauty from Sabah, Kartina soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 1978 pageant held in London, United Kingdom. She notably wore a traditional Kadazan garment as her national costume.
Liza Koh won the title of Miss Malaysia Universe 1994. Hailing from Sarawak, she is of Chinese and Iban ancestry and was a college freshman when she won the national title. She became Malaysia's delegate in the Miss Universe 1994 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. For her national costume, she wore the traditional Iban female attire, the Ngepan Indu.
Dewi Liana Seriestha won the title of Miss World Malaysia 2014. Before winning the national title, she was pursuing a music degree in Kuala Lumpur and has acted in local TV shows. She comes from a mixed-race background; her father is originally from Indonesia and is of Chinese descent while her mother is Bidayuh hailing from Sarawak. She soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 2014 pageant held in London, United Kingdom. During the pageant, she wore a costume that represented the indigenous tribes of Sarawak, including her native Bidayuh heritage. At the pageant finals, she performed a live classical opera song, winning the Miss Talent award and was also among the Top 25 contestants. After the pageant, Dewi completed her music degree and became active in the local Malaysian entertainment industry as a singer, TV host and vocal coach.
Brynn Lovett was the winner of the Miss World Malaysia 2015 pageant. Hailing from Sabah, she comes from a multicultural family; her father is Australian while her mother is Malaysian of Murut descent. Brynn was working as a professional dancer and choreographer before winning the national title. She soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 2015 pageant held in Sanya, China. For the dances of the world audition, she performed a traditional Murut dance, garbed in Murut cultural attire.
Larissa Ping Liew won the title of Miss World Malaysia 2018. At the time of winning the national title, she was a pre-law student based in Sarawak. She comes from a mixed-race background; her father is Chinese while her mother is Kenyah. Larissa soon represented Malaysia in the Miss World 2018 pageant held in Sanya, China. During the pageant, she wore a modified Kenyah attire, adorned with tribal accessories and hornbill feathers. On the pageant finals, Larissa was among the Top 30 contestants.
Francisca Luhong James won the title of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020. At the time of winning the national title, she graduated with a degree in mass communications and was working as a part-time model. Hailing from Sarawak, Francisca descends from multiple indigenous tribes; her father is mixed Kayan and Kenyah while her mother is Iban. She soon became Malaysia's representative in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant held in Hollywood, Florida. For her national costume, Francisca depicted the scenery and landscape of Malaysian villages in the countryside.
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