126
otter, flying lemur, brush-tailed porcupine, serow, and small-toothed palm civet.
This is because these species are harder to find and concerning decline in the number of consumed species. One of the respondents stated that the meat of the smalltoothed palm civet makes her feel nauseous, and she felt sickened by its odour. Bats,
such as the lesser sheath-tailed bat, wrinkled-lipped bat, and large flying fox, are
also less consumed because of the odour of the meat, and it is claimed to trigger
allergic reactions.
Surprisingly, as discovered from the interviews, the Semoq Beri hunters used to
hunt for animals from the Felidae family, such as the Malayan tiger, leopard and
black panther, as well as the Asian elephant. All these large mammals were consumed and shared by the hunters and their family with the rest of the community.
However, these endangered species could no longer be found in these areas.
According to them, illegal poaching by trespassers and mining activities in the
nearby quarry are the primary reasons for the decline of these species. In addition,
it is uncertain whether or not the binturong can still be found near the villages.
Rodents, such as the brown rat, ricefield rat, and Malayan field rat, are among the
least consumed species. They are not listed in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Even if a lot of these animals are captured, their total population would not be
affected. This is because these animals reproduce at a faster rate with higher fecundity. Presumably, the Semoq Beri people ate almost all animals found in their
habitat.
As for birds, two bird species have been emphasised in the questionnaire. The
most consumed bird species is the white-breasted waterhen, and the least consumed
bird species is the emerald dove, as presented in Fig. 13. The rest of the bird species
consumed by the Semoq Beri people were recorded during the interviews. Reptiles
were not included in the questionnaire, but the interviews revealed that they were
also consumed.
None of the respondents were recorded to have consumed or utilised the tropical
swallowtail moth (L. zampa). The tropical swallowtail moth is said to have poisonous scales and is fatal when consumed. The Semoq Beri people also do not consume
the empress cicada due to its poisonous scales, which can be fatal if consumed. The
species is related to a myth that warns people not to imitate the sound of the cicadas
as it will bring them bad luck, or locally called as tulah. The presence of cicadas is
also believed to indicate certain things, such as the presence of paranormal entities.
Wildlife Utilisation
For the Orang Asli, wildlife is not just a source of food. Wildlife may also be used
as ornaments, pets, or for medical purposes (Fig. 14). From the 68 wildlife species
they were recorded to have consumed, most were utilised as a source of food, and
some as medicine, especially among the older generation. The rest of the wildlife
species are taken care of as pets, or made into ornaments, among others.
The Semoq Beri people have retained their knowledge and utilisation of natural
resources in terms of treating ailments. Based on the interviews, the respondents
M. A. B. Abdul-Latiff et al.
otter, flying lemur, brush-tailed porcupine, serow, and small-toothed palm civet.
This is because these species are harder to find and concerning decline in the number of consumed species. One of the respondents stated that the meat of the smalltoothed palm civet makes her feel nauseous, and she felt sickened by its odour. Bats,
such as the lesser sheath-tailed bat, wrinkled-lipped bat, and large flying fox, are
also less consumed because of the odour of the meat, and it is claimed to trigger
allergic reactions.
Surprisingly, as discovered from the interviews, the Semoq Beri hunters used to
hunt for animals from the Felidae family, such as the Malayan tiger, leopard and
black panther, as well as the Asian elephant. All these large mammals were consumed and shared by the hunters and their family with the rest of the community.
However, these endangered species could no longer be found in these areas.
According to them, illegal poaching by trespassers and mining activities in the
nearby quarry are the primary reasons for the decline of these species. In addition,
it is uncertain whether or not the binturong can still be found near the villages.
Rodents, such as the brown rat, ricefield rat, and Malayan field rat, are among the
least consumed species. They are not listed in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Even if a lot of these animals are captured, their total population would not be
affected. This is because these animals reproduce at a faster rate with higher fecundity. Presumably, the Semoq Beri people ate almost all animals found in their
habitat.
As for birds, two bird species have been emphasised in the questionnaire. The
most consumed bird species is the white-breasted waterhen, and the least consumed
bird species is the emerald dove, as presented in Fig. 13. The rest of the bird species
consumed by the Semoq Beri people were recorded during the interviews. Reptiles
were not included in the questionnaire, but the interviews revealed that they were
also consumed.
None of the respondents were recorded to have consumed or utilised the tropical
swallowtail moth (L. zampa). The tropical swallowtail moth is said to have poisonous scales and is fatal when consumed. The Semoq Beri people also do not consume
the empress cicada due to its poisonous scales, which can be fatal if consumed. The
species is related to a myth that warns people not to imitate the sound of the cicadas
as it will bring them bad luck, or locally called as tulah. The presence of cicadas is
also believed to indicate certain things, such as the presence of paranormal entities.
Wildlife Utilisation
For the Orang Asli, wildlife is not just a source of food. Wildlife may also be used
as ornaments, pets, or for medical purposes (Fig. 14). From the 68 wildlife species
they were recorded to have consumed, most were utilised as a source of food, and
some as medicine, especially among the older generation. The rest of the wildlife
species are taken care of as pets, or made into ornaments, among others.
The Semoq Beri people have retained their knowledge and utilisation of natural
resources in terms of treating ailments. Based on the interviews, the respondents
M. A. B. Abdul-Latiff et al.