Doomed paradise of the Penan

Previous Next

Drying laundry. Tomas Wüthrich

Tepeket Agan in his hut in the rainforest. ”I fear the loggers.” Tomas Wüthrich

Despite the modest yield, Peng Megut clears land to plant rice. Farming is proof of settlement. Tomas Wüthrich

Peng Megut and his sons on their way to check on the loggers. Tomas Wüthrich

For Peng Megut and his group the new maps are an important weapon in their struggle against the loggers. Tomas Wüthrich

The meat of the python is much appreciated. Tomas Wüthrich

Peng Megut and family pack up their belongings; they are moving on. Tomas Wüthrich

A family of settled Penans and their house. Despite the benefits of modernity, they have few prospects for the future, and little money. Tomas Wüthrich

Left: Udi with a male Argus pheasant. The beautiful feathers can be worth money. Right: Peng and son Ulen at the foot of a strangler fig. Tomas Wüthrich

The Lee Ling company‘s reloading point halfway between Long Tevenga and Limbang. Tomas Wüthrich

Settled Penans from Long Mera‘an sell meat from babui (bearded pigs) that they have hunted for 8 Ringgits a kilo (circa CHF1.90). Tomas Wüthrich

Peng Megut and Tepeket Agan off for an early hunt. They are among the last remaining seminomadic Penans. Tomas Wüthrich

Children at Ba Peresek bathe in the river of the same name. Tomas Wüthrich

Peng‘s family at breakfast: ”The rainforest is our supermarket. It gives us everything we need in life.” Tomas Wüthrich

Séti Guman with her baby daughter Lady. Tomas Wüthrich

Méri Peng and her daughter Yonani in their forest home. Tomas Wüthrich

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8
• Picture 9
• Picture 10
• Picture 11
• Picture 12
• Picture 13
• Picture 14
• Picture 15
• Picture 16

The destruction of the rainforest in Borneo is threatening the traditional way of life of the Penan, a nomad tribe, in Borneo.

In the book “Doomed ParadiseExternal link“, Swiss photographer Tomas Wüthrich illustrates the way of life in the jungle, deforestation, and the influence of the outside world.