Friends of The Penan

Many questions have been put to me regarding clothing and sleeping arrangements during my stay with the Penan. Most of these seem to be a fascination as to whether or not I will be running around in a loincloth and forgoing the pleasures of a bed. I will be taking the Ray Mears advice on jungle clothing ie two sets of long sleeve shirt and trousers (one for keeping dry and one wet set) and jungle boots. I envisage this changing as I become more accustomed to the Penan way of life. I also hope to harden my feet gradually so I can walk barefoot. As to weather I eventually get down to a loincloth you’ll just have to watch the diaries.

I’ll be taking a Mosquito Hammock, Jungle Hammock & Fly. This hammock has a built in mosquito net and a diamond shaped flysheet to keep off the rain. (See picture) .I intend to use this any time I am not settled in with a Penan group and in the Jungle. The rest of the time I will try to do as the Penan do.

Ninog & pig (above right) by David Hiser