Mythical 500-year-old tualang tree is trademark of Kampung Kuala Wau
MARAN: A trip to Kampung Kuala Wau here is not complete without a visit to a 500-year- old tualang tree, located next to the Sungai Pahang riverbank.
With strange, albeit eerie tales surrounding the tree which has become an age- old landmark in the sleepy hollow perched between the borders of Pekan and Maran districts, needs 10 men to hug its circumference at one go.
Scientificall called Koompassia Excelsa, the tree - one of the tallest and prominent trees found in rainforests and believed to be among the oldest of its kind in Pahang - has, over the years, taken on mythical status among the villagers.
In the days of yore when river was the main transport, boatmen looked out for the tree as a sign they were approaching Kuala Wau.
Upon arrival, they were wary not to disturb the ‘peace’ surrounding the tree which according to legend, was inhabited by ‘spirits’.
Village head, Mohd Zurin Mat Jais said as a result of the belief that spirits dwelled atop the tualang tree, old folks forbade their children from playing near the tree.
“From generation to generation, there were tales that the tree was haunted by these spirits and residents kept a safe distance from the tree, so as not to disturb ther abode of the spirits,” said the 42year- old in a recent interview.
Senior villager Ramli Mat Jais, 75, recalled a story of a woman who was known for her fair skin but the complexion turned black after she had set fire to dried leaves under the tualang tree.
“Those days, I would walk quickly or run if I had to pass by the tree. But it was strange for me now to remember that we were however, brave enough to cut part of the tree’s root to make gasing (spinning top).
“Luckily, nothing untoward happened to us,” he said.
The septuagenarian added that as like other tualang trees, it had attracted bee colonies to build nests atop the tree, but the myths regarding the tree had prevented villagers from harvesting honey.
Tualang honey is one of the most sought-after honey and commonly used in traditional medicine, thus its lucrative price in the market.
However, Ramli said outsiders had broken the kampung’s “unwritten rules” by harvesting the honey, based on nail marks on the tree, which indicated they (nails) were used as ladder to reach the bee’s nest.
“We noticed traces of nails about a year ago. I believe it was done by an outsider late at night or during the day, when most of us were out working.
“We definitely will force them to stop. We hope they will cease harvesting the honey as a sign of respect to the locals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chenor assemblyman Datuk Mohamed Ariffin Awang Ismail wants the tualang tree to be gazetted to preserve its historical value. — Bernama