The highlight of our journey was an expedition deep into the jungle to visit some of the last nomadic Penan.
It was a very tough two-day trek to reach our destination. We had to fight through thick jungle, up and down many mountains. We also had to climb up slippery rock faces and cross fast-flowing, raging rivers.
This was one of the toughest places I had ever been to; aside from big thorny plants and various toxic tree barks, there was an abundance of leeches, sandflies, sweat bees and mosquitoes.
We went to a very isolated and remote area. This was probably a great blessing for the Penan whose lives are completely interconnected with the forest which provides everything they need. Their houses, all their food and water, and also their medicine, in fact, all their basic needs come directly from the forest.
This Penan hunter had to carry a wild boar weighing some 50kg on his back for over two hours as he walked home over steep hills.
This Penan hunter had to carry a wild boar weighing some 50kg on his back for over two hours as he walked home over steep hills.
Within the community lived one of the last masters of the traditional Penan nose flute (keringot), a raw, natural, organic sound straight from the jungle. It was an amazing experience to see and live amongst people with such an extensive and deep knowledge of the forest.
Their basic diet consists of sago and wild boar, supplemented by wild fruits. Occasionally, other animals were hunted. I was blessed to go out on a successful hunting trip alongside the Penan. Their constant awareness of their environment is incredible.
The Penan are very skilled hunters: armed with only a blowpipe, they are able to get all their basic protein needs. It is amazing to see them quietly moving barefoot through the jungle before silently targeting a wild boar. They are the true masters of the rainforest.
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