|
||||||
|
|
 The guides enjoying warm drinks around the jungle kitchen The Orang Asals of Sarawak taught me a new jungle kitchen/ fire place set-up. I first saw this kitchen ‘design’ in one of the local houses but never thought that it can be duplicated in the jungle. It think it is brilliant! Continue reading A jungle kitchen/ fire place set-up by the Orang Asals of Sarawak This is a video on how the Penans of Sarawak harvest the ‘Umbut’ or ‘heart’ of a type of palm tree. The natives of Sarawak has relied on the jungle for food, shelter and almost everything they need to survive. I am fortunate to be able to record this to share with everyone. NOTE: This ‘Umbut’ harvest was done to obtain food to a group that was traveling in the interior jungles of Sarawak and NOT to produce this video.
 A coil of wild rattan put aside ready for use Natural jungle vines and rattan has long been used by people as cordage to tie and lash things together. And I got a first hand experience it’s application during a trip into the interior jungles of Sarawak. The ability to utilize these jungle produce demonstrate exceptional adaptability and confidence. Continue reading Jungle vines & rattan for cordage; Lessons from a Sarawak  Terap tree fibers makes excellent jungle cordage There are many types of natural jungle cordage available if one knows where to look. Besides the usual vines and rattan, another good source of cordage is from the Terap (Artocarpus) tree. The method of stripping the Terap tree bark for cordage is something I have heard of many times but never had the opportunity to witness in real life…that is until recently.  There's 'em water in the bamboo grass “Bamboo is another sure source of drinking water in the jungle”…well, that’s what people say anyway. So, we decided to give it a go to see how true it is during a recent walk in the jungle.  Wet newspaper is a good alternative to Caplong’s bullets Wet newspaper makes ideal ammunition for my Caplong bamboo pump gun. Shape the papers into small, compacted pallets, they make good Caplong bullets and can really pack a punch. Continue reading Shooting my Chaplong (Caplong) bamboo pump gun; Final
 A traditional top ‘split’ after being hit by another I am indeed privileged to see, touch and experience authentic traditional hand carved tops (‘Gasing’ in Malay) in Malaysia. While most common kampong kids these days would opt for the mass factory produced tops, these authentic, 100% ‘original’ tops are rare to come by. Free from the influence of modern short cuts of machines and factory produced materials, these tops from a village in Pahang is the real thing. Continue reading Traditional hand carved tops in Malaysia; Part I  Our Orang Asal guide proudly showing off his Keruing torch It was an amazing experience watching an Orang Asal makes a jungle torch using the resin of a Keruing tree. The Semelais may have relied on this jungle torch for hundreds of years to ensure their safety and comfort during the nights of the rainforest jungle. Watching him take his time making the torch makes me wonder how long this jungle skill will continue to be practice among his people. Continue reading Making a traditional jungle torch from Keruing tree oil  Part of the Keruing extraction process Traditional extraction of the resin from the Keruing tree is a rare sight there days. Keruing (Dipterocarpus kerrii) is an important tree to many cultures because of its many uses resin. The Keruing name is used by the Semelais of Peninsula Malaysia. It is known as Eng in Burma, Apitong in the Phillipines and Yang among the Thais. The Keruing oil has many applications. In the olden days, it is used to make a light torch, as sealants for making musical instruments, caulking boats and as a varnish (see pic below). Orang Asli has also been known to use the oils for medicinal purposes and the more recent application is in perfume making. Continue reading Traditional Keruing tree resin extraction by the Orang Asal of Malaysia  The fibers from a Terap tree has many uses and applications During a trip into the jungles of Pahang, I was fortunate to have Pak Abu demonstrate to me how the fibers of a Terap tree are harvested. Terap tree is from the Artocarpus genus covering more than 60 trees is commonly found in South East Asia. Some of its members includes the Nangka (Jack fruit), durian Belanda (Breadfruit) and Cempedak. I am fascinated with this plant because the fibers are the very ones used to make the seals (or ‘O’ rings) of the fire pistons. |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2012 - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
