Blurring Identities: Senses, Islam, and Secularity among Malabaris in Malaysia

This talk explores the experiences of the Malabari Muslim community in Malaysia through sensory ethnography. In Malaysia, where Islam is legally linked to Malay identity and Indian identity is often associated with Hinduism, Malabaris express their Islamic identity differently from Malay Muslims. The study examines how shared sensory experiences—like sounds, tastes, and rituals—shape Malabari collective practices. It argues that the prominence of the senses among Malabaris is an embodied response to Malaysia's distinct version of secularity, where Islam plays a key role in organising and regulating the population. This exploration reveals unique features of Malabaris in Malaysian society and offers a fresh perspective on Islam, senses, and cultural identity.