Advertisement

The Mah Meri dance once more

Seth Akmal3 years ago6th Feb 2022Pictures
Mah meri puja pantai essay 050222 tmiseth 01
A Mah Meri tribesman wearing a traditionally crafted mask dances in the 'Puja Pantai' ritual, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Advertisement

AFTER two years of lockdown, the Mah Meri indigenous tribe is now allowed to perform a ritual dance known as “Puja Pantai” on Carey Island, Selangor. 

More than 50 people gathered at Judah village and walked almost 3km towards the sea to pay respects to the spirit of the sea known as “Moyang Getah”. 

Locals dressed in traditional costumes made from “Mayang” flowers perform jooh dances circling the sacred platform known as the “sanggar”. At the end of ceremony, the people shared food and drink they had brought with them.

The locals who take part in the ritual believe the tradition should preserved as part of Malaysian indigenous culture. – February 6, 2022.

A Mah Meri tribesman wearing a traditionally crafted mask dances in the 'Puja Pantai' ritual, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
A Mah Meri tribesman wearing a traditionally crafted mask dances in the 'Puja Pantai' ritual, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri women apply make-up before the 'Puja Pantai' begins, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri women apply make-up before the 'Puja Pantai' begins, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri people walk to the sea in the 'Puja Pantai' ritual to appease the spirit of the water, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri people walk to the sea in the 'Puja Pantai' ritual to appease the spirit of the water, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri tribesmen wait for low tide to begin the 'Puja Pantai', on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri tribesmen wait for low tide to begin the 'Puja Pantai', on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
The Mah Meri shaman gets into a state of trance in the platform shrine known as the 'Sanggar' during the 'Puja Pantai', on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
The Mah Meri shaman gets into a state of trance in the platform shrine known as the 'Sanggar' during the 'Puja Pantai', on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
The Mah Meri shaman gets ready to dance in the 'Puja Pantai' in Pulau Carey, Selangor. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
The Mah Meri shaman gets ready to dance in the 'Puja Pantai' in Pulau Carey, Selangor. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri women dance in front of the 'Sanggar' shrine in a ritual to the spirit of the sea, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri women dance in front of the 'Sanggar' shrine in a ritual to the spirit of the sea, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri folk dance for the spirit of the sea, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Mah Meri folk dance for the spirit of the sea, on Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 6, 2022.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement