Mah Meri Cultural Village

The Mah Meri indigenous community have settled in Pulau Carey, or Carey Island, for over a hundred years.

Mah Meri Cultural Village
The Mah Meri don traditional masks and costumes while offering gifts and blessings to their ancestors during an annual ceremony.

Contact

 +603 2282 3135 / +603 2161 0577 (Mah Meri Cultural Village)

 admin[at]mpkl.gov.my

 mpkl.gov.my

Address

Mah Meri Cultural Village
Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Bumbun,
42960 Pulau Carey,
Kuala Langat, Selangor

Details

The ancient Mah Meri tribe, sometimes referred to as the ‘Masked Men of Malaysia’, is one of 18 indigenous communities living in Peninsula Malaysia.

They are widely regarded as highly-skilled mask makers; some of their handicraft have been known to fetch thousands of dollars.

While many of the natives have assimilated into modern life, with jobs in nearby plantations and farms, much care has been taken to ensure that their ancient rituals and customs are documented and preserved.

There is a small gallery/museum and traditional house in the village compound that is open to visitors.

Festivals
The village is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit Pulau Carey‘s Mah Meri Cultural Village is during Hari Moyang (Ancestor Day), which takes place around March or April each year, Puja Pantai (Oceanic Healing) or during a wedding ceremony.

During the festival, the tribesmen and women wear intricately carved masks and perform the mystifying Tarian Jo-oh (Jungle Dance) and Tarian Topeng (Mask Dance), which are main features of the festival repertoire.

Handicrafts
Genuine crafts by the Mah Meri purchased at the Cultural Village or National Museum bear the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Seal of Excellence and come with a certificate of authenticity.

These crafts are handmade out of a rare, reddish swamp hardwood called Nyireh Batu. Each piece has its own story that is related to their ancestral legends.

The Mah Meri tribeswomen are extremely adept at palm weaving. Over here, visitors get to assist them at making headdresses or other decorative items made of palm fronds.

Opening hours

Tuesday – Sunday: 9.00am – 6.00pm

Price/Entrance fees

RM5.00 per entry. Walk-in visitors are welcome, there are no appointments necessary.

Nearby

The following destinations are located on Pulau Carey itself:

The cultural village is also located near the following destinations:

Stay

Amverton Cove Golf & Island Resort
Booking.com
Impian Morib Hotel
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Gallery


Map


How to get to Mah Meri Cultural Village


There is no public transport that will bring you directly to Pulau Carey. The best way to get here is to drive from K.L. city center towards Teluk Panglima Garang via the Klang-Banting road. From Teluk Panglima Garang, narrow roads takes you past rustic Malay villages to Pulau Carey. The drive takes about an hour.

By Bus

By Train


2 comments

    • William Cheng on January 14, 2024 at 5:06 pm
    • Reply

    When are the date of Mah Meri Hari Moyang in 2024?

    • aina on May 20, 2024 at 11:26 am
    • Reply

    Pada waktu bilakah boleh saya datang untuk melihat persembahan tarian Jo’oh?

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