Known as Sea Gypsies, the Mah Meri people are one of the Orang Asal communities of Peninsula Malaysia. Long associated to the sea, they number around 3000 and live in a few communities in Pulau Carey. The only Orang Asal community that makes masks and clothes from tree barks, they have a deep relationship with their ancestors and this ritual is performed in their honour. This has been passed down through many countless generations but this may the last. The seafront, which is necessary for this ritual, is now denied them. Soon, China will occupy that sacred space and build a deep-water port and they will be driven inland. When we were informed about this by Kamal, an anthropologist and a friend, we felt compelled to film this so at the very least, this once private ceremony is documented. That's the least we could do as an ad agency
