The Penan of Sarawak / Borneo

The Penan live in the northern part of Sarawak, the malaysian part of the Island of Borneo. They are nomadic hunter-gatherers. Although many have now been settled, about 300 Penan still lead a completely nomadic life in the forest. Even the settled Penan continue to rely heavily on the forest.

The Penan have a gentle and egalitarian society without any hierarchy. Sharing is taken for granted in their society: there is no Penan word for 'thank you', and a hunter must not eat a single bite more than he gives to others, however small his catch.

The forest is essential to the Penan, providing them with everything they need to survive. In particular, they rely heavily on sago, which they use for building houses, making baskets and as food; the Penan love to eat it fried in pig fat and mixed with pig blood.