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Dance of the Mah Meri

Seth Akmal2 years ago29th Jan 2023Pictures
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Mah Meri tribesmen wear a traditionally crafted mask during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
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MORE than 50 people gathered at Judah village and walked almost 3km carrying “Tepung Tawar” or plain flour and incense heading towards the sea to pay respects to the spirit of the sea known as “Moyang Getah”. 

The ritual ceremony takes place on the fifth day after the Lunar New Year and the tribesmen will wait for the low tide to begin their prayer.

Locals dressed in traditional costumes made from “Mayang” flowers perform jooh dances circling the sacred platform known as the “sanggar”. At the end of the ceremony, the tribesman burns the joss paper and firecrackers, marking the ritual ceremony’s end. – January 29, 2023.

Mah Meri tribesmen wear a traditionally crafted mask during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen wear a traditionally crafted mask during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen carry incense as they march to the sea to perform the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen carry incense as they march to the sea to perform the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri tribesman plays the violin during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri tribesman plays the violin during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen walk towards the sea to perform the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen walk towards the sea to perform the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri shaman sits on the ‘Sanggar’ shrine during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri shaman sits on the ‘Sanggar’ shrine during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri women prepare to dance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri women prepare to dance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri women prepare to dance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri women prepare to dance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri shaman (centre) goes into a state of trance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
A Mah Meri shaman (centre) goes into a state of trance during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen burn joss paper during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri tribesmen burn joss paper during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri people dance in front of the ‘Sanggar’ shrine during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
Mah Meri people dance in front of the ‘Sanggar’ shrine during the ‘Puja Pantai’ ritual, in Pulau Carey, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 29, 2023.
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