Keeping the Moyang Alive
For more than 40 years, En. Gali Anak Adam has dedicated his life to preserving one of the most distinctive traditions of the Mah Meri people of Pulau Carey: Moyang mask carving.
A Lifelong Dedication
Based in Kampung Sungai Bumbun, the 55-year-old artisan began learning the craft at the age of fifteen after being introduced to it by his wife’s uncle. Although he received guidance, much of his mastery came through observation, persistence and years of hands-on experience.
The Sacred Art of Moyang Carving
The creation of a Mah Meri mask begins in the mangrove forests, where suitable timber such as Nyireh Batu and Pulai is carefully selected. According to Mah Meri tradition, the process is not merely practical but spiritual, requiring respect for the natural world and the unseen forces believed to inhabit it.
Using chisels and wooden mallets, En. Gali transforms the timber into representations of the Moyang: ancestral and nature spirits central to Mah Meri culture. Depending on the complexity of the design, a mask may take between one and four weeks to complete, with larger pieces requiring even longer.
Among the most recognised characters are Moyang Bojos, Moyang Pongkol, Moyang Tok Naning and Moyang Putri Gunung Ledang, all of whom feature prominently during Hari Moyang, the community’s most important cultural celebration.
Keeping the Heritage Alive
Today, En. Gali faces challenges familiar to many traditional artisans. Suitable timber is becoming harder to find, and fewer young people are willing to commit themselves to learning the craft.
Yet he remains hopeful and continues to share his knowledge whenever possible.
“Bila dah tak ada kami esok, siapa lah yang akan mewarisi?” he asks.
“When we’re no longer here tomorrow, who will inherit this tradition?”
Through every mask he carves, En. Gali continues to preserve the stories, beliefs and cultural identity of the Mah Meri people for generations to come.
Article by Harun Wahab
