MAH MERI CULTURAL VILLAGE

Today, 1,400 Mah Meri aborigines live on the island of Pulau Carey. The entire island is owned by the Harrison and Crosfield company, a major palm oil producer, and is carpeted with plantations. Between two squares of neatly aligned palm trees, the Mah Meri cultural center welcomes visitors to a traditional village. Wooden houses with palm roofs, moyah, are clustered inland. Originally, the Mah Meri were coastal fishermen. Following pirate attacks, they retreated to the swamps and regrouped to ensure their safety. They opened this village to the public in order to perpetuate their traditions and pass on their heritage to younger generations. You'll be greeted by men and women wearing their traditional loincloths. You'll be guided through the exhibits of a small museum showcasing the tools, costumes and customs of this tribal community. There will also be a dance performance accompanied by traditional music. The tour continues with a visit to workshops where you can admire the skills of woodcarvers. They work with a hard swamp wood called Nyireh Batu. The women work with dried palm leaves, which they fold and weave into loincloths or objects. The visit concludes with a tour of Hatters Castle, a stunning colonial-style mansion left by the British.