Making Music with the Mah Meri

Edwin Nathaniel of Aseana Percussion Unit(APU) was invited by DIGI (a Malaysian Telco) to participate in the DIGI's Amazing Malaysians programme.
DiGi's Amazing Malaysians recognises individuals who are engaged in practices which impact or contribute
to natural, cultural, art, built or social heritage, and supports them in programmes which foster interest in
youth and children in each particular aspect of heritage. The ultimate goal of the DiGi's Amazing Malaysians
programme is to nurture the preservation of Malaysia's heritage by involving these young people who live in mainly rural areas.
Edwin Nathaniel then enlisted the help of Paul Lau to lead the musical instrument making section of the programme, Shane Randhawa assisted in lending a hand in the dideridoo workshop. Justin Lim and Sanjiv Daevin assisted Edwin in teaching the children to play their home made musical instruments. Together they helped the Mah Meri children to create a wonderful musical experience.
This musical instrument making programme began after lunch and ended in the early evening with a mini performance in front of the CEO of DIGI and other local dignitaries.
The instruments the Mah Meri children made with the assistance from volunteer DIGI staff were cahons, metal tube xylophones, didgeridoos, shakers, bottlecap jingle sticks(lagerphones or ching sticks), flutes and bamboo slit drums.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• DIGIS
• Amazing
• Malaysians
• making
• music
• with
• the
• Mah
• Meri
• children.
• Community
• Rhythms
• project.

[PaulLCD61]

I lead a drum circle in Kuala Lumpur - Tugu Drum Circle. Check us on on Facebook -Tugu Drum Circle. If you are ever in Kuala Lumpur please look us up or contact us before you come.

[PaulLCD61]

I have since watched your videos and really like your percussion set up. I also like the music that groan box makes. Keep up the good work and keep on making good music. if you need an Autocad drawing file of my version of the lagerphone please do not hesitate to contact me.

[groanbox]

incredible work. how can we get involved?

[PaulLCD61]

This project was part of a marketing exercise sponsore by Digi a local Malaysian Telco that we participated in. it was called Amazing Malaysians. This Amazing Malaysians proramme has since stopped due to a lack of funding.

How would you like to help or get involved? What part of this video did you like? In what way would you like to participate with the Mah Meri?

[gaban77]

Nie mcm sekolah Bubbun aje. tak pun sg judah.

[PaulLCD61]

Saya tak erti maksud comment anda. Tolong berikan saya semua maklumat berkenaan degan comment anda untuk pengetahuan saya. Ini akan menlong and memulakan diskussi dan dialog tentang upaca dan majlis ini. Terima Kasih

[gaban77]

hi..Paul

just want to know where did u held the occasion, whether it is in Sg Bumbun school or sg judah school For your info, i was staying in carey island.since last year. i wanted to learn about this tribe but dont have enough time due to do it.

For me, mah meri is a beautiful people, but lack of indormation about them. Even sime darby who acquired 90% land in this island had no effort to promote their culture as part of the social obligation. Paul i solute u for what have u done..

[groanbox]

Thanks Paul, give us a shout if you are ever in London. And please keep us posted on your percussion and music making projects. All the Best!

[groanbox]

I thought the community vibe of the video was great, and it looked like a real fun project. Of course, I was particularly excited to see the kids making lagerphones, as that is something we have wanted to do with kids for a while.  I do wish the video contained some audio from the music making itself, as I am sure it was very spirited and inspiring.