Rafflesia and Orang Asli: beliefs, conservation, heritage

Free Malaysia Today

27-05-2025

The Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health. (Bernama pic)
KOTA BHARU : Known as the 'corpse flower' owing to its foul smell that resembles rotting flesh, the Rafflesia is found only in Southeast Asia.
This unique plant has no leaves, stems, or roots of its own – instead, it lives as a parasitic organism, attaching itself to the roots of other plants to extract nutrients from its host.
As of October 2020, there are over 40 species of Rafflesia, all of which are found in peninsular Malaysia, Borneo (including Sabah and Sarawak), and the Philippines. In the peninsula, nine species have been identified: of them, three are found in Kelantan.
Beyond scientific characteristics, the Rafflesia holds deep cultural meaning for local Orang Asli communities, especially the Temiar and Jahai tribes, who believe the flower possesses a spirit and serves as an indicator of the forest ecosystem's health.
'Before entering a Rafflesia habitat, some Orang Asli groups perform rituals or seek permission from forest spirits to ensure the harmony of nature is not disturbed,' explained Rusli Angah, a tour guide from the Temiar tribe.
The flower is also seen as a sign of environmental change. According to Orang Asli beliefs, a sudden abundance of blooming Rafflesia may signal prolonged rainy seasons or significant ecological shifts.
From the perspective of traditional medicine, the Rafflesia plays an important role in the health practices of the Orang Asli community. Certain parts of the flower, including its roots, are believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in treating women after childbirth.
According to Rusli, 43, a decoction made from the flower is used to help accelerate uterine contraction and restore a mother's energy. He added that the use of the flower in traditional medicine extends to treating fevers and boosting the immune system.
'Although there is no scientific research confirming its effectiveness, long-standing beliefs and generational experience have made Rafflesia a part of the Orang Asli's traditional healing practices,' he said.
Zulhazman Hamzah, a researcher from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, says the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats. (Bernama pic)
Still, the community's use of Rafflesia is very controlled and guided by the belief that overexploitation could bring harm. They believe that harvesting the flower without good reason or in excessive amounts can upset the natural balance and bring misfortune to their community.
Orang Asli and conservation
Beyond their role as traditional users, the Orang Asli also play a key part in conserving the Rafflesia's natural habitat. As the original inhabitants of the forest, they are the first line of defence in detecting threats to the flower, such as illegal logging, land encroachment, and unregulated tourism.
Rusli said the Orang Asli play a vital role as natural ecological monitors, significantly supporting efforts by the authorities and researchers to protect the Rafflesia from extinction.
They often provide early information about new budding sites and potential threats to the flower's natural environment. The Rafflesia bud takes six to nine months to grow before it matures and blooms, lasting approximately five to seven days before dying and decaying.
In the context of ecotourism, the Orang Asli serve as guides and caretakers of conservation sites, offering them both a livelihood and a role in environmental preservation.
However, Rusli noted that various challenges currently threaten the survival of Rafflesia, including poorly managed tourism activities.
'Stepping near budding sites or picking the flower before it blooms can seriously disrupt its reproductive process,' he said, adding that without concrete measures, Rafflesia may face extinction in Malaysia – which would also mean the Orang Asli risk losing a part of their cultural heritage.
'Therefore, conservation efforts must be a shared responsibility to ensure the survival of this unique flora and the preservation of our cultural heritage.'
Tourism threats
Meanwhile, Zulhazman Hamzah, dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, said the primary threat to Rafflesia in peninsular Malaysia is not land use itself, but the lack of clear tourism guidelines in its natural habitats.
'For example, in ecotourism areas like Lojing in Kelantan, tourists often do not receive proper briefings on Rafflesia survival and conservation – specifically, what they should or should not do during their visit.
'As a result, visitors frequently touch or get too close to the blooming flowers, disrupting the pollination process carried out by forest flies,' he said.
He added that close human presence can compact and damage the soil, potentially harming the underground host plant that supports the Rafflesia. Tourists also often step on newly emerging buds by accident.
In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the Kelantan government has gazetted several areas as protected zones. (Bernama pic)
'Another threat comes from land clearing for large-scale agriculture and infrastructure development. Forest clearing for logging, agriculture and infrastructure doesn't directly target Rafflesia habitats, but the resulting landscape changes and soil erosion can disrupt the ecosystem, hinder growth, and threaten the species' survival,' he told Bernama.
According to Zulhaznan, Rafflesia flowers in Kelantan can be found in several locations. In addition to Lojing, it has been spotted in Gunung Setong, Kuala Betus, and Taman Negara Kuala Koh.
He noted that efforts have been made to ensure the species' survival, including tissue culture and root transplantation techniques. However, most have yet to yield significant success.
'Root transplants have seen some success in Sabah and Bogor, Indonesia, but challenges remain. If Rafflesia were to be widely propagated, its unique value might be diminished.'
'In efforts to preserve the Rafflesia's natural habitats, the state government has gazetted several areas as protected zones,' he added.
He said this initiative would not only protect the species but also provide economic benefits to local communities, including the Orang Asli, who can generate income through tourism activities.