Orang Asli Animal Tales

by Lim Boo Liat (Writer), Jefri Dylan Ong (Editor)

The Orang Asli – the first people of Peninsular Malaysia – are nature’s naturalists. They are intimately familiar with the social structure and behavior of many of the animals in their forest homelands. To explain nature’s mysteries, they have surrounded themselves with colourful folklore about wondrous creatures that are so much a part of their lives. In this collection of Orang Asli animal tales you will learn, for example, how the once-cruel tapir got its white band and became the timid animal that it is today. And why the flying lemur always hides his tail and flies only by night. Or how friends of the slow-loris protected him from the punishment of blindness ordered by the king for outraging the modesty of his daughter. These tales are not only for enjoyment and amusement. They also teach us morals and give us a peek into the rich scientific and cultural heritage of the Orang Asli – which should rightfully warrant a significant place in Malaysia’s cultural heritage.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Lim Boo Liat, Ph, D., prior to retirement worked in the Institute for Medical Research, Malaysia.

Reviews

[Plainqoma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it to be educational for children, and it’s great for a tell-tale story as it’s divided based on each animal. I just wish the scientific description of the animals came after each tale instead of going back and forth to the said pages of "refer to page...".

Reading this from the animal pov, I think it’s hopeful for the future where mankind and animals can live together in peace if we are much more kinder to our nature.

[Zahirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lim Boo Liat did a great job. I love his writing. However the publication is marred by many typos. And I think I prefer it if the scientific descriptions come after each tale. But this is a great collection nonetheless. And it’s just the animal tales. I’m sure there are many more tales circulating among the Orang Asli that are worthy for another book.

[Zulhilmi Ghouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the book was just ok. It's meant for children's bedtime stories, or for the amusement of animal- and nature-loving adults, so if you don't fall into either category, you're likely to find it pointless.

It certainly was interesting to me to learn how Tapir got its white belly, or that the king of the jungle was not Harimau, but Tikus Bulan.

One major letdown was that the illustrations were crude and sometimes downright ugly!

[Sara Ikmal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anthologies are not usually my cup of tea, but I couldn't resist the look on this tapir's face. This collection of stories was compiled by zoologist Dr Lim Boo Liat over the decades he spent working with the Orang Asli as part of his scientific research. The first half of the book covers 23 stories, each centred on a different animal while the second half goes into detail of each creature's description and habits.

As folktales go, there are the expected morals to be learned and 'origin stories' to uncover, such as how the tapir procured its white band or how the slow loris got its dark eye rings. Common themes that pop up are problem solving between different groups or animal tribes, and comeuppance earned for misdeeds. There is some continuity confusion with some of the tales, and the language is a bit repetitive.

[Mybussywroteathesisoncolonialism · Rating 2 out of 5]

reads like a children's book but features some very questionable storylines,, not even weirded out that it's inappropriate, but that the topics are handled so mindlessly. (suicide, capitalism, sexual assault, racial tension.) when it isnt that, its just outright cringy and generic. imagine how tired the kids are of the same noble protagonist that has his parents killed by the big bad guy and eventually gets his revenge by sacrificing himself. not sure calling it "for children" makes it any better; but i guess tricking kids into learning about dumbed-down animals is fine i guess.

[passionerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been wanting to get into indigenous literature and feel like this is a good start to get into one. Appreciate the effort by writer for bringing in these oral tradition by Orang Asli published into book.

[Malcolm Tang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book to educate children on the types of animals that share our planet. A good choice for bedtime stories.