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| The tapang trees in Jangkang, where dozens of beehives cling, are a fascinating destination for ecotourism in the rainforests of Borneo. Photo credit: the author. |
Deep in the heart of Borneo, in the villages of Parai, Sererek, and Peruntan in Jangkang, the forest rises like a cathedral. Towering tapang trees, 25 to 35 meters tall, cradle fifty to seventy beehives in their branches. Here, honey is more than food. It is a story, a risk, and a tradition.
Harvesting begins at night.
Villagers climb the trees using bamboo pasaks, ingeniously tied to form ladders and bridges, sometimes reaching five meters or more. Lanterns sway, the forest whispers, and the hum of bees fills the air. One wrong step could send a climber tumbling to the forest floor.
As Natos, an elder from Peruntan, recalls, "Many fall. Some die on the spot. Only one in a hundred survives."
Yet, despite the danger, these climbers return with golden jars, pure honey untouched by sugar or additives. They sometimes collect up to a hundred liters in a single harvest.
For tourists, witnessing this ritual is a glimpse into the daring lives of Dayak villagers. Their courage and skill turn a simple harvest into a ballet of precision and bravery.
A Flavor Unlike Any Other
The first taste of Jangkang honey is unforgettable. Sweet, yet complex, it carries the perfume of untouched blossoms, the tang of tropical fruit, and the richness of the wild forest. It is raw, natural, and wholly Borneo.
Musa Narang, chairman of the Keling Kumang Education Foundation, explains, "Imagine the process, the bees flying through untouched forest, gathering nectar, and the climbers risking everything to collect it. It’s safe to say the flavor reflects that journey."
Travelers can taste the honey and walk the forest paths themselves, guided by locals who explain the subtle signs of beehives and the rhythms of the forest. Every sip becomes a story, and every jar a testament to human bravery and nature’s generosity.
Tradition Carved in Bamboo and Leaves
The harvest is not just a climb. It is a ritual. Mantras are whispered to pacify the bees, to honor the spirits of the tapang, and to ensure safety.
The bamboo ladders are works of ingenuity, each pasak carefully measured and lashed together to form bridges and platforms. The forest becomes a partner and a challenge, whispering warnings through rustling leaves, creaking bamboo, and sudden gusts of wind.
Visitors witness more than honey collection. They witness heritage in motion. Dayak villagers share knowledge of medicinal plants, weaving, and local customs. Every step in the forest is a lesson, and every observation a connection to a way of life that has endured for generations. The honey, then, is not just a product. It is culture crystallized in gold.
The Reward of Risk and Patience
At dawn, the harvested honey glows like sunlight caught in a jar. It is pure, untainted, and astonishingly sweet. Affordable at 150,000 rupiah per kilogram, it is one of the few luxuries that remain deeply tied to the land and the people who guard it.
Musa Narang reflects, "The process is dangerous. Lives are on the line. Yet the honey is cheap." It is a paradox, highlighting the difference between the price of goods and the value of human courage and nature’s generosity.
For tourists seeking adventure and authenticity, Jangkang offers more than honey. It offers a journey into the forest, an encounter with Dayak tradition, and a taste of a world still wild and uncompromised.
Standing beneath a tapang tree, lanterns flickering, and the forest alive around you, one realizes that every drop of honey carries a story of life, risk, and resilience.
The wild honey of Jangkang is not just sweetness. It is a reminder that the finest things, those that nourish body and soul, come from patience, courage, and respect for the untamed world around us.
