Orang Asli Museum
Ayer Keroh, Melaka

The Orang Asli Museum Ayer Keroh in Melaka is housed in a replica longhouse traditionally built by the Temuan tribe.

The museum explains who are the Orang Asli people, their different ethnic groups and tribes, where they are found in the Malay Peninsula and describes their customs, beliefs, taboos and traditions.

The population of Orang Asli stood at 93,000 in 1993 divided into 18 groups speaking 18 different languages. This map shows the distribution of the 18 tribes.

On display here are examples of traditional clothing made from tree bark worn by people from the Temuan tribe.

Typical wedding gifts from the groom to his bride apparently include traditional handicraft items as well as plastic shoes, perfume spray and lime betel.

The ingenuity of the Orang Asli is evident from the various types of traps used to catch birds and animals, all made from trees and plants found in the jungle. Blowpipes are their most useful hunting tool, made from the wood of the Bertram tree while the darts are tipped with poison extracted from the Ipoh tree.

Model of a Jakun house.

The Orang Asli are very knowledgeable about the uses of herbs and plants for medicinal purposes. The museum also provides information on their traditional cuisine and table etiquette, but unfortunately there are no samples to taste.

There are some examples of masks made by the Mah Meri and Jahut communities on display.

A model of a Temuan grave.

Review Verdict

This is a good museum, especially if you are not familiar with Orang Asli customs and traditions. The building itself is impressive. I think the Orang Asli Craft Museum in Kuala Lumpur has better examples of masks but this one in Ayer Keroh is a larger museum.

Opening Hours and Admission Fee

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Friday closed for prayer break from 12.15 pm to 2.45 pm.

Closed on Mondays (except during school holidays) and closed on the first days of Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.

Ticket Prices

Adult RM 2
Child (Below 12 years old) / Student RM 1

How to Get to Orang Asli Museum Ayer Keroh

The location of Orang Asli Museum Ayer Keroh is marked on this map:

Show the Way

GPS: 2.278689, 102.299188

Address:

Lebuh Ayer Keroh 75450 Melaka

Tel:

06-2317932

Enquiries:

General Manager

Melaka Museums Corporation

Kompleks Warisan Melaka

Jalan Kota 7500 Melaka

Tel: 06 282 6526 / 06 281 1289 / 06 281 8784

Nearby

There are a number of nearby tourist attractions in the Ayer Keroh district of Melaka, all within close proximity to the Orang Asli Museum. These include: