Orang Asli Crafts Museum

Based in the Gombak area of Selangor, Orang Asli Crafts Museum is a very informative repository in Malaysia that has cast light on the history and tradition of the Orang Asli people by preserving the arts and handicrafts made by this tribe. Orang Asli were the original inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia whose population accounted for a total of 200,000. These people were well-recognized for their handicrafts, specifically the wood carvings which depict their ancient belief systems.

Involving a library and theatre hall, Orang Asli Crafts museum enthrallingly introduces the 18 different tribes of Orang Asli and how they are segregated into 3 main groups - Negrito, Senai, and Proto Malay. This compact museum houses some attention-grabbing statues and masks carved by the Mah-Meri and Jah Hut tribes. It also displays small Sepili figures, blowpipes and ornate bamboo containers for holding blowpipe darts, hunting and fishing equipment, and coffins made from bamboo. Other collections include native clothing, rattan baskets and trays, palm leaf ornaments and spiritual decorations.