Mah Meri Orang Asli community hold Ancestor’s Day festival after two-year hiatus due to Covid-19

PETALING JAYA: Hari Moyang and Puja Pantai were celebrated in Pulau Carey, Banting again this year after a two-year hiatus following the movement control order to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The festival is celebrated by the Mah Meri Orang Asli community to seek protection, forgiveness and ask for better luck from their ancestors and ancestral spirits.

Celebrated for generations, the ritual begins when the seawater recedes completely. Members of the Mah Meri community will march towards a secluded beach while dancing and singing, accompanying shamans who “carry” the spirits and spirit of their ancestors.

Hari Moyang (ancestor’s day) and Puja Pantai (beach worship) are among the remnants of ancient traditional ceremonies that still exist, to pay homage to ancestors and ancestral spirits during the new year. - Bernama