The rice field after harvest
We had the good fortune of visiting a working Semelai (hill) rice field. Though all the rice stalks have been harvested, some burnt…there were still many things to see and learn here. Even the hut that is poised on the fringe of the rice field was interesting enough. It is authentic and divinely bushcraft.
The feast marks the first meal with rice cooked with the newly harvested rice. Naturally, we were curious to know more about the rice. We decided to visit the rice field after our lunch. But before we left, we got the chance to see the traditional rice pounder, made entirely of wood which is used to de-husk the rice he harvested. After that, the rice is kept in a woven basket.
The rice pounder used by the Semelais
The pounded rice is then kept in a woven basket
Naturally, we wanted to buy some of the rice to bring back with us but according to locals, the bomoh or local shaman advised against it. We would have to wait for a number of days before the rice can be taken away from the owner. It is only then that we were told that the bomoh has ‘chanted’ over the rice before it was cooked or otherwise we would all have stomach discomfort.
We made our way to the rice field, located not very far away from our kenduri place. It was a hot day and it started to drizzle a bit. Rain on a hot day like this is called ‘hujan panas’ (hot rain) and is generally believed to cause fever. We quicken our pace and seek shelter in the hut on near the rice field.
The hut on the rice field
All four of us scrambled up into the hut. We were not the only occupants. Inside there are two cats and gunny sacks filled with newly harvested rice. Even with the bamboo flooring, the heat can still be felt inside the hut.
The bags of rice in the hut
I decided to wait under the hut for the rain to stop. It was only then that I realize how much the hut was built on the basic knowledge of bushcraft. The hut is amazingly sturdy, built using traditional knowledge and mostly materials available from the surrounding areas. The steps leading into the hut for example is tied together using knots (unfamiliar to me) and notches on the wood pieces.
Except for the few nails used, most of the steps are held together using rattan and notches
The knot that starts the rattan coil downwards the steps
The rattan is used to hold the steps together
Note how the rattan is ended with a coil
Underneath the hut, I noticed that no time is wasted by the villagers. There are materials used to make fish traps or Bubu, there’s even a completed one. Bubus are made in between working on the rice fields. The Semelais seems to maximize their time very well.
Making fish traps were the order of the day when the padi farmers had free time at the rice field
The rain stopped after about 15 minutes. The air is filled with humid scent of raindrops but the heat was more than I can bear. The landscape around displayed a rather barren land. Some parts were burnt; mostly dried stems can only be seen left standing. It was a good harvest this year and villagers are looking forward to an even better next season.