[1][2] Their original settlements are in the border area between the two provinces, in the Barisan mountain range, with densely clustered villages pattern.
[1][2] Around 2000 BC, the Austronesian (proto-Malay) people who already had a high culture came to the archipelago, including to the Bengkulu area.
[3] They already had the ability to sail the seas with outrigger boats, knew astrology, and their livelihood was fishing and farming.
[3] Around 1000 BC came the Paleo-Mongoloid (deutro-Malay) group, who first lived mainly on the coastal areas as fishermen or traders.
[1][2] Many of their fertile plantation lands are planted with coffee, clove and pepper; while some others work as traders, carpenters etc.