Picnic with the Penan Natives

The Penan are an ethnic group of Borneo. Out of the 10,000 Penan it is estimated that only 200 are still living their traditional nomadic hunter-gatherer existence in Malaysian state of Sarawak, Borneo.

They are the Stewards of the rain forest. A title encapsulated by the concept of molong (which) defines both a conservation ethic and a notion of resource ownership. To molong a resource is to harvest it with care, insuring that it will regenerate. Whenever the Penan molong a tree they place a sign on it, a marker or machete cut. It denotes ownership and a public statement that the natural product is to be preserved for harvesting at a later time. These rights are passed down through the generations. Similar to a private property sign that reads “please share wisely” rather than “no trespassing.”

In the Penan language there are forty words for sago palm, and no words for goodbye, or thank you - or thief. The Penan view the entire rainforest as their home. One that is under severe threat as commercial logging continues to destroy the forest around them.
Groups of up to forty move around a landscape of steep valleys and dense dipterocarp forest interlaced with numerous tributaries of the large rivers draining the islands interior to find stands of the wild sago palm. It is sago which allows the Penan to survive using only the resources they find in the forest, without participating in any agriculture, as it provides most of their carbohydrate needs, the remainder coming from forest fruits. There are plants that yield glue to trap birds, toxic latex for poison darts, rare resins and gums for trade, twine for baskets, leaves for shelter and sandpaper, wood to make blowpipes.

A gentle and softly spoken people with a highly egalitarian society and little gender division, their most pronounced cultural trait is one of meticulous shearing. With few laws the most serious transgression in Penan society is see hun, a term that translates roughly as “a failure to share.”

source: www.friendsofthepenan.com

What is this adventure?

-Explore one of the few remaining unprotected areas in Sarawak that has not been logged
-Live with and learn about Borneo's most fascinating, secretive and least understood tribes: the Penan.
-Travellers wishing to get off the usual tourist trail
-Natural attractions: mountains, caves,waterfalls, lakes, forests and wildlife
-Traditional culture: blow pipe making, rattan weaving, storytelling, wildlife tracking, medicinal plants and ethnobiology

Who are the Penans?

-One of the smallest tribal groups in Borneo
-The Penan still rely on the surrounding rainforest for their daily needs
-They are THE rainforest experts. To live in the jungle, they barely require clothing and only a machete/parang and may be just a small lighter.
-Traditional customs, beliefs and practices remain strong
-Many Penan's of today are semi-nomadic
-Many of their practices and rituals are still unknown to the outside world

A Different Approach in Our Program

-Originated, owned and operated by the Penan community
-Tourist income goes directly to the village with a portion directed to WHOA and our ground handler's administrative & logistics cost.
-Your participation provides an 'off the beaten path' adventure and ultimately education for you on the local culture, systems, belief and the Penan's plight to the outside world to help protect the forest
-Value for money

Sounds Exciting? What you might want to know before enquiring...

Remote Location, No Phone/Mobile Coverage,  No Electricity, Basic/Spartan Conditions, Repetitive food, bucket shower / river bathing,  no hot water, no shops, Physically & Mentally Challenging (medium fitness required), tough trekking and carrying your own load, high heat & humidity,  unrelentless leeches, culture shock/ you need to be tolerant, patient, courteous, maintain a good spirit and open-minded

Why you should consider this tour?

The Penan's may lose their existence with rapid deforestation of the 'world' they live in. Here is a video from Al Jazeera:

Here are 2 other links [ 1, 2 ] to a late 80s documentary "Blowpipes and Bulldozers" by Jeni Kendell and Paul Tait which features Bruno Manser.

Price

The actual trip cost will depend on the size of group, number of days and variety of activities. A good size would be 5pax.
The quoted price of each trip will be confirmed upon email enquiry.

What does it include and exclude?

Prices Include Food and Beverage, Trekking & Camping Equipment, Accommodation, Transport, Guide, Cook & Porter (excluding tips)
Excluding return flight or 4WD from Miri to Long Banga
Early booking is essential due to the limited number of visitors that the village can receive at any one time

Every trip is tailor made according to time and interest of the traveller.  Your trip can include as little or as much trekking and camping as desired. Things/activities will probably change onsite.
Day trips out of Long Kerong are available/
A minimum of three nights is recommended due to travel time and remoteness of location

Sample Itinerary (more sample itineraries at bottom page)

5 day / 4 Night "In the Headman's Footsteps"
Day 1, Long Kerong - Long Sait Loop
Day 2, Fly and Boat into Long Kerong. Spend night in the village
Day 3, Breakfast in village before departing trekking.
Lunch stop at nearby waterfall. Set-up camp in the rainforest, afternoon free for exploration, night picnic followed by stories of traditional folklore.
Day 4, Early morning start, long trek to second night camp spot. Set-up camp and have lunch before setting out for an afternoon of traditional hunting/fishing
Walk to final camp location. Set-up camp.
Walk to nearby waterfall, spend day exploring surrounding area and caves
Day 5, Departure Day

Getting Here

Fly to Miri then connect to Long Banga or Long Lellang. A guide will meet you at the airport.

Other Penan Programs

 Itineraries subject to change without notice