CIMB Artober week fashion show accused of culturally appropriating Mah Meri community

CIMB’s Artober Fashion Week is under public scrutiny after its Mah Meri by Anuar Faizal show was accused of cultural appropriation. The show allegedly made a mockery of the Mah Meri indigenous community in Malaysia in the show. According to a petition seen by A+M that Gerimis Art Project and other artists initiated, Faizal’s use of the Mah Meri spirit masks and styling on topless models in the fashion show allegedly transgressed cultural and customary boundaries of the Mah Meri People.

The petition has been reportedly signed by Azman Sap, village chairperson for the Mah Meri Orang Asli community in Sungai Bumbun and the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), amongst others. In fact, Malaysiakini has reported that the Mah Meri Orang Asli community in Sungai Bumbun has lodged a police report against Faizal.

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Faizal said in promotional material for the show that he had been studying the weaving technique with the tribe and their leader for three years beginning with the tripART collaboration between CIMB, CENDANA, and Yayasan Hasanah in 2021. The Mah Meri community are known for their style of weaving with dried leaves which has been recognised as one of the first techniques of its kind, according to a statement by the show.

In a promotional video for the fashion show, the collection was said to embrace diversity and display Malaysia’s culture in its truest form while preserving the nation’s history, culture and heritage.

However, the use of Mah Meri spirit masks which are used by the community for specific rituals have seen their significance become diminished through its use in fashion, added the petition.

However, the use of Mah Meri spirit masks which are used by the community for specific rituals have seen their significance become diminished through its use in fashion, added the petition.

The use of the community’s name with that of Faizal’s has been claimed to allude to a form of entitlement over the group.

The petition also seeks a public apology, explanation and the removal of all images and videos related to the show from social media from Faizal, CIMB, LimKokWing University, and Locco.my’s Keretapi Sarong who were involved in the show.

A+M has reached out to CIMB and Faizal for more information. 

This is also not the first time indigenous culture has been used in ads. In August this year, in conjunction with Malaysia’s national month, Etiqa released a patriotic web film called "Pokok Oh Pokok" to cultivate Nationalism among Malaysians.

"Pokok Oh Pokok" tells the story of two indigenous children named Yam and Jemah who decide to skip school due to Yam’s injured leg while practicing a cultural dance in their village, according to a statement by the brand.

The next day, their teacher takes attendance in the classroom and finds that Yam and Jemah are absent, adding more headcounts of children skipping school, especially among the indigenous community. The teacher then endeavours to facilitate the learning sessions for the indigenous children by holding classes in their village under a big tree.

“Inspired by a true story of a teacher from a primary school at Muadzam Shah, his dedication as an educator and his sense of patriotism should serve as an example to all Malaysians," said Michelle Wee, head of brand and communications of Etiqa Insurance and Takaful. "Moreover, we also want to raise awareness that all children also have the right to be successful in life, which begins with a foundation in education."

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