Adventures into the Heart of Borneo with Michael Palmieri
Borneo can be the third largest island inside earth, which can be politically shared by three countries, Indonesia, Malaysia along with Brunei. The island has over 250 indigenous tribes, which are commonly referred to as Dayaks. Since 1974 Michael has made over 150 expeditions into the heart of Borneo.
Michael with trophy skulls in Borneo, 1977
What made you choose Borneo?
When I was a child I read about the Wild Man of Borneo, which captured my imagination. Then in 1974 we met a couple in Legian that will had just returned through Borneo, John along with Marie DeConey. I asked how we could get there along with within a few days we were off to Borneo for true adventure.
What about the headhunters?
One hears stories about the famous headhunters in Borneo, which are very true. Walking through the Inner surface veranda of a longhouse one can see hundreds of trophy skulls suspended in clear view, proudly on display, taken by war along with by daring challenges. When a warrior cuts off a head, he can be awarded which has a ring tattoo on his finger. I have met several elder men who proudly showed me their tattooed hands, completely full of trophy rings. One old warrior explained to me that will he had no more room on his hands along with began tattooing the rings on his feet. Pretty impressive stuff!
What were the dangers inherent inside river area of Borneo in that will era?
Travelling inside jungles of the third largest island inside earth comes with many dangers; malaria, dengue, poisonous snakes, insects along with being injured without any medical support could be fatal. The rivers of Borneo are some of the most challenging along with dangerous inside earth.
Grand Bahau Chief along with wife
Tell me about a dangerous event on the river.
On one occasion on the Mahakam river in East Borneo (Kalimantan), myself along with three Dayak Bahaus were heading downstream in an eight metre dugout canoe when suddenly up ahead I saw that will we were rapidly approaching a huge set of life threatening rapids. I suggested to my Dayak driver to pull over to the side of the river. Then I along with two Dayaks could walk the cargo through by foot along with the driver could dash through the rapids alone. yet the driver assured me not to worry (the infamous last words). Just like that will we entered the mouth of the dragon. Halfway through the rapids the canoe capsized, throwing the cargo along with the four of us into the raging river. We lost all the cargo plus one of my Dayak crew. His body popped up two days later way downstream. the item was a truly scary experience!
I heard that will you were the first person to introduce the Borneo baskets (anjat) to the outside world. Tell me about This specific.
Yes, we were the first people to introduce This specific incredibly beautiful woven rattan backpack to the outside world. The Borneo bag called anjat can be indigenous to most Dayak tribes. We see the item all over Bali today along with the item has become a symbol to travellers of having been to Bali. My ultimate goal was to get the people to begin a cottage industry with This specific beautiful backpack, along with today This specific goal has been achieved.
Tell me an intimate story, which occurred during your travels in Borneo.
After doing many expeditions into the jungles of Borneo, I had heard about the liberal sexual traditions of the tribes in Sarawak. I was curious as hell to discover more about the Iban tribe along with their liberal culture of promiscuity. currently that will door of opportunity had finally presented itself. I was young along with my testosterones were bubbling over. Soon I was to discover if This specific was a true story or just a fable. I just had to find out!
Michael on Katibas River, West Borneo
One night while visiting a village on the upper Katibas River in Sarawak, I would likely find out if the stories I had heard were true. When the evening’s entertainment was over, all the elders along with children retired to their baliks (apartments). I remained there which has a tiny group of teenage boys, chatting about cultural differences, when suddenly one of the young boys asked me if I liked the girl with the red blouse, the one that will had been flirting with me. Suddenly her exotic Gauguin-esque face smiled in my mind’s eye. Wow! Yes, I do remember! So the boys told me that will she was waiting for me in her family’s balik. By currently all the elders along with children were fast asleep. They showed me the door to the balik, explaining to me that will the room would likely be lit by a very dim palm oil lamp along with inside there would likely be many beds with mosquito nets covering each of them.
They told me, “The girl will be waiting inside for you. the item’s the first mosquito net on the right-hand side of the balik. Just open the net along with quietly slip inside. Go! She can be waiting for you!”
Nervously I entered the balik. I found the first mosquito net on the right side along with silently opened the curtains. A fear began racing through my head. What if I get caught? These people are headhunters! I laid down next to her, wrapped my arms around her along with cuddled up gently to her warm body. Then BAM! I was struck inside head! All I could see was whirling stars! Then she let out a scream that will woke up the whole longhouse. I had just been struck heavily inside face by the elbow of her old grandma. A wave of chatter rippled throughout the longhouse, which then turned into shrieks of laughter. that will’s when I realized that will I had just been punked by a bunch of teenage Iban boys! I awoke the next morning which has a swollen black eye along with lots of laughs through my Iban friends. So much for adventures in paradise!
Any suggestions for anyone wishing to visit Borneo along with where to go?
The jungles of Borneo are only for the hardcore happy camper. The equatorial temperatures are sweltering hot along with wet with lots of mosquitoes along with additional weird crawling creatures. No villas here, no Internet, no mobile phones, along with comfort along with privacy are rare commodities. Local village food can be very exotic indeed. along with if you truly wish to see genuine authentic Dayak culture along with people, you must travel deep into the Inner surface, which can mean days by boat. There can be one place that will I do recommend that will you visit along with that will can be the Apo Kayan inside central highland mountains of Indonesian Borneo. There you will find the real deal. To get there you must charter, in advance, a plane (the item’s costly) operated by the missionary airlines. not bad luck along with happy trails!
Thank you, Michael!
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Adventures into the Heart of Borneo with Michael Palmieri
Adventures into the Heart of Borneo with Michael Palmieri