Meet the Perak Man

It was in 2012 that MALAYSIA proudly received its inaugural recognition from UNESCO world heritage for its archaeological achievement in the discovery of the Perak Man.This is the oldest remain of a caveman found in South East Asia. Yet I am guilty of not visiting the museum and meet the Perak Man earlier.

Today my aunt,my American friend and I went to Lenggong and visited the beautiful archaeological museum. It certainly deserves an applause for its lay-out, descriptions of the Stone Age on the wall and the skeletal remains of the Perak Man .This skeleton was found in situ and this provided reliable data for analyses and interpretation of the excavated artefacts  not usually available for this period. This is the most complete skeleton found in South East Asia in its antiquity which is 11,000 - 10,000 before the present. When the skeleton was etched out, it measured approximately 154cm in height.

This is the Perak Man. 

Studies showed that he suffered a genetic anomaly. The short and abnormal shapes of the second and third middle phalanges of the third digit of the left hand associated with vocally and radially curved phalanges , shorter lower arm bones suggest a genetic malformation. As he grew older his left arm suffered prolonged limb disorder and the bones were smaller and shorter than his right hand, a reflection of a partially paralysed upper limb .He died at the age of 45 which is considered 'long life' for people of his time. (facts about him are written on the wall of the museum.)

After watching the video about him at the museum I felt sad seeing him in his deformed state but at the same time proud of the fact that this man was living in the caves at Lenggong Valley with his tribe.Reaching that age during that period was considered lucky.Not many survived when they reached 20!

Mannequins  of the cave men

Pictures of their life style. 

The women were already wearing necklaces made from rocks. 

There are other remains of archaeological value at the museum and it is very interesting. The cave like atmosphere at one part of the museum is brilliant. I learned from the writing on the wall that there were Ashes from the volcanic eruption of Mount Toba dated 74,000 years ago on the rocks at the site. I think it is incredible.

Remains of the cave man

Mannequins of the cave men

There are mannequins of cavemen hunting for food at the museum and also 3D pictures of them and their lifestyle.

You will gain knowledge of the cavemen and the Perak Man from all the writings and a video of the actual scenes.

The group from Lenggong tourism with us. 

An interesting read about his burial

The bones of the another caveman. 

The museum is Perak's pride and it is a place to  visit for tourists, local and international alike.  I am glad I made the visit because now I know that the district of Hulu Perak has so much to offer.

The Perak Man as you enter.He lies on the top floor.  

The Perak Man has an IC

Yours truly

Their utensils


Ends

The de-colonisation of Malaya.

Little mannequins seen through a glass wall acting out the way J.W Birch was assassinated while he was bathing at the Perak River.

It all began with the assassination of the British Resident J.W Birch which was orchestrated by Dato Maharaja Lela, Ngah Ibrahim, Sultan Abdullah and Sepuntum the orang Asli that speared Birch by the Perak River in Pasir Salak. This incident led to the

 Perak War which was also an excuse for the Malays to retaliate against the colonisation of Malaya by
the British. It was not only in Perak but according to the stories shown at the Pasir Salak complex and articulated by a guy called Fauzi who works at the  historical complex, all the other States were going against the British too. The Malays felt that their beliefs, customs and religion were being threatened by the 'orang putih'

The gallery and time tunnel at Pasir Salak. Entrance fee is RM 4 per adult and RM2 for kids. 

An illustration of the arrival of Parameswara made with little mannequins seen through a glass. 

Potteries used by those from that era. 

Signing of a treaty between the Sultan of Perak and the British.These are mannequins and not paintings.

History has it that Birch was a notorious man who enjoyed seducing the Malay women and had no respect for the Muslims. That bit of Birch's traits was what I learned elsewhere. The Pasir Salak historical complex is a beautiful place and the gallery is not to be missed.  As you enter, you will  learn about the arrival of Parameswara up to the independence of Malaya in 1957.What makes it interesting is because of the illustrations. The stories are told  through little mannequins acting out the events that look so real. The place is dark with lights coming only from the glass wall. It was fascinating to watch the history of  important events being potrayed by the mannequins.

On the other side are exhibition and stories of the Keris aka daggers here it is bright so visitors can see the keris clearly.  Fauzi said that there are 180 keris from the Nusantara especially  Majapahit being exhibited. I had mix feelings because although they are beautiful, some still had stains of blood on an old white cloth which is tied to the dagger. There is a huge keris from Jogjakarta with two carving of the human heads on the top! How did they carved the keris so beautifully is an amazing factor which is a legacy to be proud of. Being in awe is an understatement. The whole thing is surreal! Unfortunately visitors are not allowed to take pictures of the keris.

Growing up in the hippie era

How, where and when does not only apply to the art of journalism but also on how one shapes up or basically how one becomes the type of species that one is. I just realised this while seeping coffee just now.

 My primary years was during the mid 60s in Kuala Kangsar. My parents were both from the same town so I supposed that's why we had a house in Kuala Kangsar. To be honest with you, dear readers, I considered myself lucky because my childhood was full of adventure hence I became an adventurous old woman. I was 10 when I  heard about Janis Joplin and the legendary Hendrix. I haven't a clue to their music because my parents were fans of Engelbert and Tom Jones. I was exposed to their songs together with songs by Frank Sinatra.

Later I  heard of the concert which all hippies and laid back humans could relate to called The Woodstock!

Come the 70s when I was 12,I learned of the Beatles. I became their fan immediately. My favourite album is still Abbey Road and their White Album. I was in love with George Harrison at the age of 13 till the day he died.

The 70s was the best era and again I considered myself lucky. Growing up at a time when being laid back and listening to records at home was the norm. Of course that was the time when smoking marijuana was the 'in'  thing among the hippies. Yours truly was too young to indulge in that. Thankfully my parents pulled the string back before I could fly further. To me, I was the kite that flew where the wind blew. The best time of my life! Then they sold the house in Kuala Kangsar and we moved to Ipoh.

In the 70s,we were free to mingle with friends from all kinds of backgrounds and races. We connect through music and all things nice and we met at school.

I became a hippie naturally. My male friends had long hair and we would hang out at the field in Green town during the weekend, sitting cross legged on the grass. We don't have proper shoes, we wore flip-flops and there was always music wherever we are. Rock music by Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin was 'groovy'. We don't have much money so we would share the bottle of coca cola between us.

We didn't indulge in drugs but somehow we were high on life. God I love those years of my life.

The Abbey Road poster that I bought recently cos it reminded me of my past.  

KUALA MU

It was in 2017 that Pos Kuala  Mu, an orang asli settlement near Sungei Siput, Perak became known to the Civilize world. That was when the government finally built a road that leads to the village which is roughly 3000 ft above sea level. The pristine forest and stream became an enchanting hub for nature lovers.

I had Kopi-O at their Surau.

The chalets and stream at Kuala Mu. 

Saidin , 38 said  that  the idea of building chalets to the public was incepted when he was asked to build a school community Hall. At that time the road from Sungei Siput to the hill top was just being built. "It was in 2017 and I wanted to do something for myself and my community." said Saidin.

The little resort

My aunt and I at the stream. 

"We do not have financial help from the government so I collected RM50 from each of the youth and bought the stuff to build the bamboo huts. "Bamboos are plenty in the forest and we started first by building three huts with our own hands. " It was a success and now they have 20 bamboo huts by the pristine stream. The huts are well maintained and the bathroom is cleaner than those in the shopping mall.

The pristine stream on top of the mountain.


I asked Saidin what's the  story behind Pos Kuala Mu. He said that every Pos or settlement are made up of four villages.  Pos Kuala Mu is consisted of four villages with a population of 1k which is something new to me. He did mentioned the name of the four villages but I can't figure out the spelling from the tape. Yes, like the reporter that I used to be I taped him and I am sure it makes him feels important. I asked him if the authority has been to his little resort and he said yes the new MB came and told the indigenous to be independent and not be dependent on the government.I think that is not very clever or nice for a new MB to say such. Dude, the guy had to collect money from his community to build the small, beautiful and cheap resort and here you are asking them to be independent?

Anyway, the place is new and there are no clinic or eatery nearby. They cannot afford to have an eatery yet for fear of food poisoning  so guests should bring their own medical kit incase of emergency and plenty of food and mineral water.

The road to Kuala Mu is steep and winding. The tar road would have been perfect but loggers spoiled the road so beware of potholes and lorries on your way there.

Saidin is far sighted and frank.  He told us that he cannot accept tourist from overseas yet because of the lack of facilities mentioned earlier. In my opinion the place would be better if the authority would help them financially so that they can have a small canteen for coffee and snacks.

I have seen a few places of nature and in my humble opinion Kuala Mu is a beautiful place for one to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The cool temperature plus icy cold stream is heaven on earth for those with cheap budget like yours truly.