Discover Bajakah: Borneo’s Hidden Vine and the Indigenous Wisdom That Taps It

Growing among the towering trees of Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), bajakah vines store water within their long, woody stems. Photo credit: the author.

In the depths of Borneo’s rainforest, the indigenous Dayak people have long relied on nature’s wisdom. One of their most remarkable traditions? Drinking water straight from a forest vine known as bajakah.

PONTIANAK, BORNEOTRAVEL — Borneo, the third-largest island on Earth, holds some of the most extraordinary natural riches still left on the planet. Among its many wonders is a little-known medicinal vine, revered by the island’s Indigenous Dayak communities and known locally as bajakah.

This remarkable plant isn’t just folklore—it’s a living testament to the Dayak’s intimate relationship with the rainforest, offering both clean drinking water and healing properties, right from its roots.

In a world searching for authentic, sustainable travel experiences, could there be a more challenging and exotic adventure than eco-trekking through Borneo’s deep jungle to uncover ancient forest medicine still used today?

Nature’s Bottle: How the Dayak Quench Their Thirst in the Wild

Long before bottled water became a global commodity, the Dayak people of Borneo had already mastered the art of hydration in the wild. As indigenous custodians of one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests, the Dayak never brought canteens or plastic bottles when venturing into the jungle. They didn’t need to. Through centuries of living in close harmony with their environment, they developed a keen understanding of the forest’s natural resources—including where to find clean, drinkable water.

One of the most ingenious sources? 

A forest vine known as bajakah. Growing among the towering trees of Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), bajakah vines store water within their long, woody stems. 

When cut at a certain point, these vines release cool, clear water—safe to drink, right from the root. No boiling. No filtering. Just nature at its purest.

To the Dayak, bajakah isn’t just a plant; it’s a living water bottle. A natural hydration source that reflects their deep-rooted knowledge of the forest and its gifts.

Bajakah: Vine, Medicine, and Cultural Heirloom

Scientifically identified as Spatholobus littoralis Hassk. (among other species), bajakah isn’t limited to a single variety. The term is used broadly by the Dayak to describe several types of woody vines with medicinal properties—some belonging to the Fabaceae and Apocynaceae families. Another notable species often classified under bajakah is Uncaria gambir, a vine known for its healing qualities.

Beyond its water-storing capacity, bajakah holds a respected place in traditional Dayak medicine. Once dried and boiled, the vine is used to treat fatigue, digestive issues, and postpartum recovery. 

In recent years, bajakah gained national attention in Indonesia after a high school science team in Palangkaraya presented research suggesting that certain compounds in bajakah extract may help inhibit cancer cell growth in lab animals.

This triggered a surge of interest among researchers and the health industry. However, for the Dayak, the plant is far more than a trending cure—it is part of their identity, their cosmology, their history. Elders teach children how to find the vine, when to harvest it, and how to respect it. It's not merely about survival; it's about stewardship of the land.

A Lesson from the Forest

As the forests of Borneo face mounting threats from deforestation, mining, and monoculture plantations, the knowledge of plants like bajakah is also under siege. Yet the Dayak way of life still offers a compelling model for a different kind of relationship with nature—one based on respect, coexistence, and ecological wisdom.

In a world increasingly shaped by industrial convenience and environmental neglect, the story of bajakah serves as a quiet reminder: nature already provides what we need—if we listen. For the Dayak, a sip of bajakah water is not just refreshment. It’s a ritual, a memory, and a testimony to the brilliance of living in tune with the earth.

-- Rangkaya Bada