'Bateq' - Orang Asli Tribe in Taman Negara
Bateq, also written Batek, is an Orang Asli tribe in Malaysia. Today there are only about 750 of them in the jungle. Most of them live in Taman Negara National Park.
Until 1970, the Bateq were widespread, but their turf has since been reduced to Taman Negara as the Malaysian jungle was deforested for logging.
Bateq are hunter-gatherers. They lead a nomadic lifestyle in groups of about 10 families. The Bateq do not have a concept of land ownership, so they just make use of the land immediately around the place they settle. Once the resources within the area are exhausted, they move to another spot.
The above mentioned are the actual facts about the Bateq. But what I witnessed in Taman Negara was completely different. Before heading to the Orang Asli village, I imagined that the entire village would be full of tribal settlement. But after reaching there, it was quite a disappointment as it looked like a made up village with about 5 to 6 huts, where they had unnaturally settled a few tribal people for tourist attraction. They had organized a few activities for tourists, which were conducted by these tribal people, such as learning how to use the blow pipe and a few more.
It was a very pitiful sight. I felt that the older people were completely uncomfortable around the tourists, but the younger generation seemed accustomed to the civilization. The Bateq who live like nomads, hunting and wandering around, were trying to earn a living. It felt like as though they were in display for the tourists.
Until 1970, the Bateq were widespread, but their turf has since been reduced to Taman Negara as the Malaysian jungle was deforested for logging.
Bateq are hunter-gatherers. They lead a nomadic lifestyle in groups of about 10 families. The Bateq do not have a concept of land ownership, so they just make use of the land immediately around the place they settle. Once the resources within the area are exhausted, they move to another spot.
The above mentioned are the actual facts about the Bateq. But what I witnessed in Taman Negara was completely different. Before heading to the Orang Asli village, I imagined that the entire village would be full of tribal settlement. But after reaching there, it was quite a disappointment as it looked like a made up village with about 5 to 6 huts, where they had unnaturally settled a few tribal people for tourist attraction. They had organized a few activities for tourists, which were conducted by these tribal people, such as learning how to use the blow pipe and a few more.
It was a very pitiful sight. I felt that the older people were completely uncomfortable around the tourists, but the younger generation seemed accustomed to the civilization. The Bateq who live like nomads, hunting and wandering around, were trying to earn a living. It felt like as though they were in display for the tourists.