Carey Island

Carey Island is mostly oil palm, held in estates since the colonial period, and the reason to go is the Mah Meri, one of the Orang Asli peoples of the Senoi group, whose villages are on the island's western side. Mah Meri carving is the best known Orang Asli art tradition in the country: masks and standing figures representing moyang, ancestral spirits, cut from nyireh batu, a dense swamp hardwood, each figure tied to a specific spirit and story, and the work is recognised internationally with pieces in museum collections. The Mah Meri Cultural Village at Kampung Sungai Bumbun shows carving and weaving, runs dance performances and sells directly, which matters because most of what is sold as Orang Asli craft elsewhere is not. The Ari Muyang ancestor festival falls around February.

History

The island is named after Edward Valentine John Carey, an English planter who acquired it from Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah of Selangor to start rubber plantations (Wikipedia, Carey Island).

The main sights

• Mah Meri spirit carving - moyang masks and figures in swamp hardwood.
• The cultural village - carving, pandan weaving and dance at Sungai Bumbun.
• Direct purchase from carvers - unlike most craft sold under the same name.
• Ari Muyang - the ancestor festival held around February.

When to go

All year; Ari Muyang around February. A day.

Things to know

The cultural village charges and performances usually need booking, especially for small groups. The island is otherwise palm estate with little to see. Villages are communities, not exhibits - ask before photographing.

Nearby

Banting and Morib beach are south; Klang and Port Klang are north.