Malaysia

The Semelai and Tasek Bera

When I was a child we had a farm and planted fields of tapioca and paddy. In the morning I would help the family farm and in the afternoon I would go fishing or de-husk the rice.

We would often go to the forest to hunt, which we can't anymore as the forest is getting smaller and smaller. These days all you will see are rubber trees and oil palms. We would go to the forest to hunt deer, antelope and other animals. We would use traps back then because we didn't have guns. Those were the old times though, today we buy almost all of our food from an Indian vendor who comes here everyday to sell food. I buy all of my food, including rice and fish. Of course, we don't eat deer or antelope anymore as you can't find them.

Today I am teaching the youth of our village how to weave using traditional methods and materials. We use Pandanas, a reed that is found in the wetlands of Tasek Bera. The reed is still abundant in the wetlands, so it is easy to find. What is more difficult is promoting weaving skills to the younger generation.

With the assistance of Wetlands International and the United Nations Development Program we are trying to re-educate our people about traditional knowledge and resources. As a teacher, it is difficult to say whether or not the younger generation will continue weaving. Learning additional skills however, will provide them with more opportunities and hopefully when they leave school they will be able to make some money from these skills.