Activities at Tasik Bera

Lake Bera and the Semelai people offer a variety of unique experiences. To clock a number of unique experiences in one destination, is indeed rare.

The perahu jalur which is a shallow dugout traditional sampan normally carved from a single tree trunk were once the only mode of transportation on the lake before motorized boats were introduced. Today, they are used mainly by women when they go onto the lake to harvest the screwpine leaves for their mat weaving or to install bubu or fish traps in the shallow inlets.

Visitors to the villages can opt to try the rowing out into the lake on the perahu jalur or be taken out on small flat bottomed motorized boats. Squeezing through tight canals, hemmed in by high walled screwpines requires skillful boatmanship and the Semelai are the most skilled. Skimming the still waters, ducking low overhangs and flicking off strangely alien insect forms is a real thrill.

The Semelai handicraft can be regarded as one of Malaysia 's more refined handiwork amongst the Orang Asli groups. Their crafts range from mat weaving, to bubu making and carving of model perahu jalur. Another interesting aspect of the Semelai culture is their musical instruments such as the Semelai Violin or Rebab where its rounded base is covered with the skin of Lake Bera 's giant pufferfish. The gambang resembles a gamelan in ways and is played by two people sitting on opposite sides to each other. Other instruments are the tetawak and the rebana.

The Keruing tree (dipterocarp specie) is highly regarded by the Semelai. In the old days, damar from this tree was highly prized and middlemen were commissioned by Arab and Indian traders to trade with the semelai. It was used in perfumes, as boat sealant and as lilin or candle wax. The candle wax when lit gives a heady, woody, scented aroma and is simply sublime.   

  

The Semelai people have for centuries been in contact with the 'outside' world, trading with the middle men traders for basic necessities such as tools and food products for which they bartered with rattan, damar, scented wood such as sandalwood and other jungle produce. Many of the Semelai no longer practise their old ways..the villages have changed to incorporate modern amenities and luxuries. Their assimilation into the society is almost complete. They now rely on revenue from their rubber plantations and handicraft items; they also do some hunting to trade. But they still plant paddy twice a year and after the harvest, they come together to celebrate and rejoice.

Makcik Titi and her husband, Pak Engkok own three Keruing trees within the area of Kampung Jelawat, a Semelai village. The trees have been in her family for over 150years. Makcik Titi has been collecting oil from the trees for over ½ a century. A 15minutes trek on level ground took us to the site of the trees. The first Keruing tree looked rather odd. Chunks had been cut out of the trunk about 3 feet from the ground; making it look like the hearth of an old fireplace or a small pizza oven. Each tree 'housed' three of these "ovens". Makcik Titi twisted a handful of dried leaves together, lit one end and tossed the leaves into the gaping hole. Instantly the remaining oil in the hole caught fire, flames licking the bark of the tree. The fire is meant to stimulate flow of the oil from within. Ten minutes later, she put out the fire. She explained that this method does not kill the tree. In fact, the tree may continue to live for another 200years if it is not abused. Back at her house, she collected a RM20 fee from us for the bit of show-and-tell we had just witnessed.

Kampung Jelawat is a 20minute walk from the bridge where the boats were moored. Perahu jalur is also for hire here. The charges are RM20 per boat per hour subject to availability.

The Semelai's are generally shy people and they speak little or no English. Basri, our boatman spoke little English too, making it a bit difficult to communicate. At Pos Iskandar, you may be able to converse with one or two villagers there. Pos Iskandar is also approachable by road. There is an access road not far from the Tasik Bera Resort turning. It leads you there without having to pay for the boatride. But the highlight of visiting Bera is really the lake. Advice No.3: road going into POS Iskandar requires a hardy car.  

The SABOT (Semelai People's Association for Boating and Tourism) arranges homestay as well as eco-adventure or eco-cultural programmes for guests. A 3day 2night package for 10 persons or more for RM250 per person and includes activities plus meals and boat rides.

Ramsar Site; live to tell a story - another day

If I were to raise a statement that the preservation of Tasik Bera's profound sanctity has much to do with a little town called Ramsar, tucked away in a corner of Iran - would anyone believe me?

Indeed would anyone really care anyway?

But some of us did care enough to make a few changes and in 1971, something really big went down in Ramsar. After an exchange of opinions, views and a few signatures amongst emissaries from several nations, the world's oldest environmental treaty was finally sealed. This Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) was formed to protect important wetland areas around the world. But it was only in 1994 when Malaysia signed the Ramsar Convention that secured Tasik Bera's undecided fate.

Tasik Bera was made Malaysia's first Ramsar site. To be nominated as a Ramsar site, there are many regulations that have to be adhered to - there are strict obligations to protect the fauna, flora and the delicate ecosystem of the wetland.

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