Orang Asli Craft Museum in Kuala Lumpur showcases the arts and handicrafts of the Orang Asli people, the aboriginal communities who dwell mostly in rural areas across the Malaysian Peninsula.
The museum explains how there are 18 different tribes of Orang Asli divided into 3 main groups, the Negrito, the Senai and the Proto Malay.
The Orang Asli are famed for their handicrafts, particularly the wood carving skills by the Mah Meri and Jah Hut tribes who like to carve masks and figures and these are highly valued by collectors.
These beautifully carved statues were created by the Mah Meri tribe. The one of the left is made from cengal wood and is titled ‘King of the Apes’ and the one on the right is made from nyirih batu wood and is named ‘The Spirit of Lanjut’.
In addition to statues and masks there are small Sepili figures used in the traditional medicine system of the Jah Hut, blowpipes and ornate bamboo containers for holding blowpipe darts, hunting and fishing traps, musical instruments, native clothing, pouches and containers made from screw pine, rattan baskets and trays, palm leaf ornaments and spiritual decorations and even coffins made from bamboo.
Pricing:
Malaysians: Adult: RM 2; Elderly & OKU: RM 1; Children & High school with uniform: Free; High School without uniform: RM 2
Foreigners: Adult: RM 2; Children: Free
Visit website: http://www.jmm.gov.my/en/museum/orang-asli-crafts-museum