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Melatah.tah.tah...

The Malay diaspora can stand tall in the eyes of the international arena for at least two distinctly unique behaviours - Amok and Latah.

The act of warriors going on a killing rampage for pride and honour (amok, meaning frenzied Malay in older dictionaries) was recorded as early as 1670 by European seafarers. Even James Cook, the 'discoverer' of Australia noted that in his journals of these occurrences in the Malay Archipelago. In modern times, it has been described as a mental defence mechanism or a suicide attempt in a society where suicide is frowned upon, knowing well amok results in loss of lives of the sufferer.

Over time, amok has been made aware of the international community and had made it to the Oxford dictionary many years ago. It is also said that the warring psyched Viking would also go into a trance-like rage before a duel.

Another phenomenon which is unique to the Malay people is the act of 'latah'. Apparently, a small obscure tribe in Hokkaido also has sufferers of latah. Typically it is seen in middle-aged peri-menopausal ladies who upon simple prodding would start singing, dancing and talking in incoherent language. The trigger factors for this could a simple slipping of tray or slight pulling of the garments, much to the amusement of people around her. People of other cultures may not see the joke surrounding the action of the sufferer but it tickles them so much that they do it repeatedly. The person who latahs acts almost at an unconscious level and has no recollection of it afterwards.

Intermingling and close proximity at work of races in this country over time has 'latah' a kind of contagious infliction. It is a common sight to see Malaysian Indian civil servants going 'Pecot,cot,cot.....' at a little startled. This, I think is self-inflicted latah, in an attempt to blend with fellow working colleagues. And my Cambodian maid also latahs when startled!
"Latah is a condition where, triggered by the startle reflex, victims fall into a trance in which he or she engages in repetitive speech or movements. Often these take the form of echopraxic and/or echolaliac automatisms. Latah is found only in certain world cultures and is therefore commonly considered a culture-specific syndrome. Wikipedia"

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