Mah Meri people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2200 (2005) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Pulau Carey | |
| Languages | |
| Besisi, Malay | |
| Religion | |
| Forest & Natural Spirituality | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Senoi subgroup which includes the Che Wong, Jah Hut, Semoq Beri, Semai & Temiar |
The Mah Meri (pronounced [max mri]) is an ethnic group native to western part of Peninsular Malaysia. They are one of the 18 Orang Asli groups named by the Malaysian government. They are of the Senoi subgroup. Most of the members of the Mah Meri tribe live along the coast of South Selangor from Sungei Pelek up to Pulau Carey, although there is at least one Mah Meri Community on the other side of the Klang River.
According to the Orang Asli Office of the Malaysian government,[1] they numbered around 2200 in 2005.
Most of the Mah Meri live in small villages (kampungs) on the fringes of other cities and on Pulau Carey, which has five separate villages of Mah Meri.
Political Organization
In common with other Orang Asli Villages, each kampung elects its own Batin (Village Headman) and a council of 'elders' to represent the people living in the kampung. The Batin is paid an annual salary by the Malaysian government. The Bomoh, who functions as a shaman in their society, plays an important role in the kampung.
Mah Meri Kampungs
| Name of Kampung | Nearest Town |
|---|---|
| Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong | Sungei Pelek
Kampung Orang Asli Tg Sepat |
| Kampung Orang Asli Sungei Kurau | Pulau Carey |
| Kampung Orang Asli Sungei Judah | Pulau Carey |
| Kampung Orang Asli Sungei Bumbun | Pulau Carey |
| Kampung Orang Asli Sungei Jugra | Pulau Carey |
Language
The Mah Meri language, sometimes also called Besisi is one of the Mon-Khmer language group but has also borrowed from Malay.
References
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