The sumpit or blow pipe (malan) is a traditional weapon used by the Orain Asli (ingenious) tribe for hunting and during the older days, warfare. There are numerous measurements for the blowpipe ranging from 2 feet to more than 6 feet. The longer the barrel, the longer the distance the dart will go.
There are many blow pipes being sold in the market as souvenir and do not function, so beware what you are purchasing. To me anything intended for display in my home must be authentic, functional and dated, i.e. not newly made. It must have the allure or aura of history.
Such one piece purchased from a tribesman from the district of Kampung Api Larat and later sold to Kak Hasnah in Rompin / Muadzam Shah and later sold to me, is displayed at my home. Measuring almost 6 feet. It is made from "Teras Penaga" tree. I understand from Kak Hasnah (whom I purchased this piece) that Penaga tree is one of the few suitable tree to make the Sumpit. The reason being that the wood must be boiled to get rid of insects, worms and other infestation. Other type of wood will bend during the boiling process and this will not do. You need a wood as straight as an arrow before, while and after the boiling process.
"Teras" is used as it is the core of the tree and the strongest part.
To make the hole in wood, no modern tools are used but a "duri lunak rotan" (part of the rotan tree). So you can imagine how tedious the process is.
It takes about 3 months to make a piece such as this, from start to finish.
The dart or bullet is called "damak" and it is made from rotan. The poison for the damak is obtained from the sap of the Ipoh tree. I understand that the sap can kill its intended target.
This piece is about 60 years old and was used by the tribesman's father before being sold to Kak Hasnah for about 3 days before exchanging hands to me. I pestered her for months to get me an authentic piece. Kak Hasnah runs and promotes Orang Asli's craft in her Orang Asli village.
The buluh used to wrap the Penaga wood is new and varnished. The original buluh was damaged due to age and had to be replaced. The Penaga wood must be wrapped by buluh or other items to protect the Penaga wood from corrosion and damages caused by the environment, i.e. rain and sun. Remember, this was used for hunting and takes months to make a piece. Hence, tribesman will protect it to ensure longevity. Without the sumpit it may have meant no food while awaiting for a replacement to be made
Here is where you blow. Aging and cracking of the Penaga wood is clearly visible. To blow is simple. Aim your sumpit at the intended target. Take a deep breath and hold your breath "wind" in your cheeks and take one swift blow. Ensure the dart is in before you blow to avoid embarrassment
The end of the sumpit where the dart exits after the swift blow
The dart. Kak Hasnah washed it 3 times in front of me and I washed it another 3 times. It still had stain residue of the sap at the end of the dart as the sumpit was still being used prior to sale
The "sarung" for the dart. During hunting, it is tied around the waist
At home where it belongs. I was warned to look after this piece and never step across it as this piece has been prayed by the Orang Asli to kill its target during hunting
In modern times, the sarong used to wrap the Penaga tree for the sumpit can be also pvc pipes. Which is why you may see Orand Asli still living in the traditional ways carrying a pvc pipe whilst entering the jungle. It is more of a function that art using the pvc pipe as opposed to buluh cover
