Blowpipe, Pickaxe The Orang Asli's Weapons Of Choice During Communist Era

GUA MUSANG, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- For the Orang Asli community, especially the Temiar tribe in the Kuala Betis Resettlement Scheme (RPS), the blowpipe and pickaxe are not just traditional tools but were once the main weapons in self-defence during the Malayan Emergency around 1948 (to 1960).

Ayeh Kolir, 77, village head of Kampung Teranek, said the blowpipe, known as 'blau' in the Temiar language, is made from the Temiang bamboo, while its darts are crafted from the fronds of the '’Bertam tree' which are shaved thinly and sharpened at the tip, making them very effective as weapons for hunting animals or for self-defence.

The elder said that aside from the blowpipe, the pickaxe also played an important role in the lives of the Orang Asli community back then because this weapon, which resembles a small axe, was used in close-range combat and proved invaluable in life-and-death situations during the Communist insurgency.

"The pickaxe blade is made of finely honed cave stone, making its structure durable and sharp.

"I still remember when we moved to Kuala Betis from Pos Blau, Lojing, during the Emergency in 1948, my father used this weapon to shield our family from Communist threats," he said at Kampung Teranek, RPS Kuala Betis here recently.

Continuing his story, Ayeh, who is also one of the oldest residents at the Kuala Betis RPS, said that life in Kuala Betis today is vastly different from the past because many areas are now equipped with various road facilities and development.

"Back then, it was just a vast wilderness of wild jungle and in that climate of scarcity, handmade weapons became the main hope and protector of the Orang Asli people.

"Now, more than six decades after the country's independence (in 1957), the blowpipe and pickaxe are no longer used for warfare, but instead have become symbols of culture and identity for the Orang Asli," he said.

He hoped that the peace enjoyed today would prevail, and that the younger community would not forget the history of the struggle of their ancestors who defended their families and homeland with whatever they had, such as the blowpipe and pickaxe.

"The art and historical value contained in these two weapons is a legacy that must be appreciated by the younger generation. In the past, our ancestors lived in constant vigilance by carrying the blowpipe and pickaxe to defend their families from enemy threats," he added.

-- BERNAMA