people of the rainforest

 

 

 

 

 

The Batek-Forest People of Taman Negara

While many Orang Asli people have settled in permanent communities near the park, there are still Batek people living a semi-traditional life in  Taman Negara. The Batek people are one of the Negrito tribes and have similarities to people from the Andaman Islands, the Philiphines, Indonesia and New Guinea.They are true nomads and are classified by some anthropologist as pygmies due to their short stature.

There are several theories on the harmonious relationship between the Orang Asli people and their habitat. One group anthropologist suggests that the hunters and gatherers could not have occupied tropical rainforest independently without access to sedentary agricultural populations which whom they would have traded goods. This theory presupposes that rainforests are not not easy environment for humans to survive  in.

The survival of the Orang Asli in the rainforest was partly dependent upon using a series of limestone caves for shelter. In 1985 charcoal drawings were discovered in Gua Batu Luas in Taman Negara and attribute to the ancestors of the Batek people. While they only date from 1920, anthropologists have speculated that the traditions of cave painting amongst these people is much older. The motifs found in  the cave include mountain scenery that is most likely Gunung Tahan.

Today, about 500 Orang Asli live in the park at any one time. Itis possible to isit their communities as long as a recognized guide accompanies you. There isn't a great deal to see as the Orang Asli live very simple hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The accommodations is extremely simple, but for visitors who want to learn about these people it is possible to stay with them and accompany them on their daily activities such as forays into the forest in search of food.

Their typical camp usually comprises 10 to 30 family members living in temporary shelter made from natural vegetation,. There is slightly raised sleeping platform for protections from insects and open hearth for cooking and heat. The settlement area located near rivers and structures are not sturdy as they are only needed for a few month before the communities moves on.

Contact wit the outside is limited, although the Batek sell some forest products like rattan and wild honey, which they adept at collecting. They also collected and eat many forest fruits and plants such as durian, cempedak, mangoosten,, rambutan and petai, and may sell any excess. Many natural products are used in  their daily lives.

Orang Asli communities move according to seasonal food requirements or when an area is nearly exhausted of food. It is not part of their character to destroy an area, and they move on before the resources is depleted. The forest is their "supermarket" and therefore valued and-as the home of their ancestor-respected.

The men hunt and share the spoils while the women fish and collect forest fruits and vegetables. The Orang Asli are renowned for their hunting prowess. The Batek believe animal living above the ground are clean so they hunt those living in trees such as birds, squirrels and monkeys. Originally the Orang Asli used bows and arrows but early this century they converted to blowpipes. Today, they still use 1.5metre bamboo blowpipes and poisonous darts to hunt on daily basis. Darts are dipped in the poisonous sap of the Ipoh Tree (Antaris toxicaria).

Traps and nets are occasionally used to snare small games. Meals are supplemented with fish, tortoise, jungle fruits and yams from the forest and products like rice bought from outside. Traditionally most food was cooked in bamboo, grilled or boiled although now metal pots supplement this.

Usually visitors to any Orang Asli community pay their guide for all travel arrangements and the community receive some of the money. While offering a gist is appreciated, visitors need to be careful about the type of gift. For example, sweets, cigarettes and junk food and inappropriate while rice and other staples are appreciated.