Doomed paradise of the Penan

Washing set out to dry. — Drying laundry. Tomas Wüthrich

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

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

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

people looking at a map — 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 — The meat of the python is much appreciated. Tomas Wüthrich

people in the forest — Peng Megut and family pack up their belongings; they are moving on. Tomas Wüthrich

house — 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

uccello e albero — 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

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

youth with meat — 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

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

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

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

woman with baby — Séti Guman with her baby daughter Lady. Tomas Wüthrich

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

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

This content was published on September 27, 2019 - 11:00

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.

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