The Mandailing people originated from North West Sumatra in an area now called Mandailing Natal Regency. They adopted an indigenised form of Islam in the 18th to 19th century by retaining some of their native religious practices (adat). After their conversion to Islam, the Mandailing people integrated into the greater Malay community of the region. 

They primarily migrated to Peninsular Malaysia during the Padri War (1803-1837) led by Raja Asal. Their migration took them to Pahang, Selangor and finally to Perak. They were known as ‘orang dagang’ and found success in mining. Although they have successfully integrated into the greater Malay community, they still retain some of their dialects, customs and kinship bonds with many Malaysian Mandailing families still having records of their family tree (terombo) till this day. 

Istana Raja Bilah (nephew of Raja Asal) located in the town of Papan, Perak is one of the most prominent Mandailing heritage sites within the Nusantara region. Gazetted as a protected heritage building in 2005, it stands as a monument to the collective memory, history and pride of the Mandailing diaspora.

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