Buang

Updated 2026-07-03

Buang is a term that appears in several distinct contexts, primarily within Southeast Asian languages and cultures. The following entries summarize the most commonly documented uses.

1. Linguistic meaning (Malay/Indonesian)

In both Malay and Indonesian, buang is a verb meaning “to discard,” “to throw away,” or “to get rid of.” It is a regular verb conjugated according to standard Malay/Indonesian grammar (e.g., membuang = “to discard,” dibuang = “discarded”).

Etymology: Derived from Proto‑Austronesian buRaq “to throw,” the term is attested in classical Malay texts dating back to the 15th century.

2. Buang people

The Buang people are an indigenous group inhabiting the central highlands of Sulawesi, Indonesia, particularly around the Palu and Poso regions.

Population: Estimates vary, but anthropological surveys in the early 2000s placed the community at roughly 20 000–30 000 individuals.
Culture: The Buang maintain traditional animist beliefs combined with elements of Christianity introduced during the colonial period. They are known for distinctive weaving patterns and communal agricultural practices.
Language: The group speaks the Buang language (see below).

References: Survey reports by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs; ethnographic studies published in the Journal of Austronesian Studies (2003, 2007).

3. Buang language

The Buang language (also known as Buang Nggahi) is an Austronesian language spoken by the Buang people of Central Sulawesi.

Classification: Belongs to the Malayo‑Polynesian branch, specifically within the Celebic subgroup.
Number of speakers: Approximately 20 000 (as of 2010 census data).
Writing system: Primarily oral; a Latin‑based orthography has been developed for educational purposes by local NGOs.
Linguistic features: Exhibits typical Austronesian vowel harmony and a verb‑subject‑object (VSO) word order, distinguishing it from neighboring languages that are primarily subject‑verb‑object (SVO).

References: “A Grammar of Buang” (University of Indonesia Press, 2012); SIL International language surveys.

4. Geographic locations

The name Buang appears in several place names across Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, often reflecting local usage of the term “to discard” or derived from indigenous toponyms.

Buang, Central Sulawesi: A sub‑district (kecamatan) within the Poso Regency, predominantly inhabited by the Buang ethnic group.
Buang River: A minor river flowing through the Buang district, used for irrigation and local transport.
Buang, Papua New Guinea: A small settlement in the Western Province, listed in colonial-era maps but with limited contemporary documentation.

References: Indonesian National Geospatial Information Agency; historical cartographic records held at the National Archives of Papua New Guinea.

5. Surname

In Malaysia and Singapore, Buang functions as a Chinese‑derived surname, particularly among the Hakka community. It is the Romanization of the Chinese character 卜 (pronounced Bǔ in Mandarin). Bearers of the name are found chiefly in the states of Perak and Selangor.

References: Malaysian Department of Statistics on surname distribution (2021).

6. Miscellaneous

Buang (mythology): Occasionally mentioned in local folklore as a spirit associated with waste or discarded objects, but scholarly sources provide limited verification.
Buang (music): The term has been used informally in contemporary Indonesian pop culture to title songs or albums that convey themes of letting go or moving on.