The Ancient Burial Caves of Danum Valley
Written by Aleena Che Ramli
Danum Valley is one of the most biodiverse areas and the last remaining patches of virgin primary rainforest on earth. It was believed that the 130 million years old rainforest is older than the Amazon rainforest which is 60 million years. The protected rainforest sprawls 438 square kilometres in the east of Sabah and boast some of the rarest and unique species that can’t be found elsewhere. It is home to an astonishing variety of plants and wildlife including more than 124 species of mammals, 340 species of birds, 72 species of reptiles and 56 species of amphibians. In fact, if you are a big fan of these iconic endangered species like Bornean pygmy elephants, orang utan, Banteng, clouded leopard, Bornean sun bear and the Bornean Bristlehead, Danum Valley is the place for you to witness this amazing creatures.
Located 80km on the west of Lahad Datu, Danum Valley is known to be the largest remaining area of virgin undisturbed lowland primary rainforest in Malaysia. There were no human settlements Before it became a conservation area in early 1960, therefore logging, hunting and other human interference was virtually non-existent here. The region lies within the upper reaches of Sabah’s second largest river, the Segama and its tributaries. The eastern and southern borders of Danum Valley are demarcated by the Segama river. Geographically, Danum Valley is generally hilly but not mountainous, as the highest point here is the Mount Danum at the height of 1090 meters. Mostly lowland dipterocarp and riverine forest, Danum Valley is one of the richest conservation areas in the world, with 200 species of trees per hectare. It is the least explored treasure which holds the secrets and more to be discovered.
Some 25 years ago, before the only commercial accommodation was built in 1994, a series of limestone holes were found on a cliff edge, deep within Danum Valley[s primary rainforest. It was established that this was an ancient burial site belonged to the Sugpan tribe, who once traversed this forest centuries ago. They have made a site on Danum Valley burial caves, as a resting place for their honoured dead where their remains lies undisturbed deep inside this peaceful wonder of nature. The Sugpan tribe believed in the powerful spirits of hills and water and considered this elevated ground a sacred place. Therefore, they believed that the higher you bury your loved ones, the closer you are to heaven. The Sugpan people would carry the deceased in coffin made of Belian an iron wood, where they would find holes in limestone cave to lodge the coffins. It is an incredible symbol of commitment and strength, as the coffin made of Belian wood can be quite heavy.
Two of the sites were discovered near the Danum Valley Field Centre, while the other one situated below the cliff overlooking the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. The jungle trail to the burial site goes along the Ulu Segama river and dips deeper into the forest along a clear pathway that will bring you to the sacred ancestral cemetery. Do take note that you are strongly advise to walk this trail with a guide. You wouldn’t want to end up being lost in this vast wilderness, would you? Looking at the hole-ridden limestone wall, you will find planks of broken wood covered with moss on a flat stone surface with several bones with skeletal jaw scattered nearby, which were the remains of the Sugpan’s ancient coffin. And according to carbon samples, the remains were at least 250 years old. To go to the other Sugpan ancient burial site, you have to walk around the boulder and on a narrow trail along the ridge. There you will find huge blocks of wood, one as a base and the other as the cover lying on the sandy ground. This particular coffin looks more preserve than the previous coffin, as most of the structure are still intact. It was believed that the remains on the coffin was the Chief of the tribe and it was placed on the ridge by the family together with his blowpipe, which still can be seen inside the coffin. The family has removed his body and put it on top of the coffin in a sitting position, so he can oversee his village below the cliff where the Borneo Rainforest Lodge is.
As a matter of fact, the Sugpan group is a sub-ethnic of the Dusun group that are nomadic in nature. Back then, they depended on the forest for food and cover, where they later trade with Chinese from mainland China along the Segama and Kinabatangan river. Today, the tribe has evolved from their way of life and intermarrying, but many still hold on to their animistic roots. Nowadays, the descendants of the Sugpan tribe are still living along the Kinabatangan river in Sabah and known as Orang Sungai { River People}. So, when you are in Sabah, do take the opportunity to discover the mysterious myth and legend of the Danum Valley burial caves.