Wild Man of Borneo

When I was a little girl, my mom talked about the “wild man from Borneo,” generally in reference to some family member’s hair and usually either hers or one of her three daughters.  She would state emphatically, “(I/You) look like the wild man from Borneo!” after which a good combing or brushing would ensue.  At first, I thought maybe Borneo might be in Africa, but Mom—ever geographically savvy—said, no, it was an island in Asia.  For a long time in my consciousness, though, Borneo continued to remain in a rather indeterminate location, somewhere in that nebulous blur of all those countries and islands situated in southern Asia.  Not until I moved to Asia did I truly sort out my own geographical visualization of the southern expanse of the largest continent, and, lo and behold, I rediscovered Borneo!  And then, I decided that someone in the family really ought to check out Mama’s “wild man”!   As I had the best proximity—currently residing on the same continent, no less—and the inclination, I did just that.  Over the Thanksgiving Break, I traveled to the island of Borneo.

Today the island of Borneo is divided among three countries:  Indonesia (73%), Malaysia (26%), and the entire sovereign state of Brunei (1%).  Home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests, Borneo also ranks as the third highest island in the world, thanks to Mt. Kinabalu (approximately 13,500 feet above sea level).   I visited Sabah, one of two of Malaysia’s states located on the island. 

 Mt. Kinabalu from the air.

Alas and alack, I now believe that Mama’s “wild man” has been tamed.  (Even so, I am impressed with such kind and gentle people as those I met Borneo.)  So here are the best options I have for the “wild man of Borneo.”

OPTION 1:           The “wildest” two I ever encountered I found while visiting a cultural village (think Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center on a much smaller scale), and mostly they’re young and really rather cute!

This one is "tweaking" darts to use with a blow gun!

OPTION 2:           People in Borneo refer to orangutans—considered among the most intelligent of primates—as the “wild men of Borneo.”  These days they only reside in the wild in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.  I saw them at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary near Sandakan. 

[Yes, I realize that at least the adult orangutan pictured is not technically a “wild MAN,” but, hey, a mama with baby fully inveigled my attention and, subsequently, my camera lens.]

Another statement my mama announced sporadically as we grew up—I suspect during those “last nerve” moments—was “I think I’ll run away to Timbuktu.”  Someday I would like to “run away” to Timbuktu, too, for just a little while, anyway . . .