the sireh or betel leaf is synonymous to the Malay Archipelago (which includes the pacific islands and atolls, philippines (before spain's inquisition this was a Malay Kingdom)), indo china (kemboja, vietnam, laos), thailand, myanmar, taiwan.
travel documentaries give an insight into this singular phenomena.
in remote villages in the northern mountains of luzon, with centuries old terraced rice fields, men and women are still chewing the betel leaves wrapped up with slices of areca nut, some slaked lime (burnt shells).
on sunshiny pristine beaches in the south pacific people enjoy shady afternoons under swaying palms, mouth full of the same concoction.
by the banks of the tonle sap lake, while gathering lotus seeds, cheerful tanned ladies chewed happily the intoxicating betel leaf mix.
on the busy streets of mandalay, women with bedak sejuk on their faces eschew the betel leaves while peddling out their wares.
in the highlands of the Malay Peninsula, the indigenous inhabitants enjoy the cool of the evening chewing betel leaves with family members, surrounded by million year old rainforests.
etched in history. polynesians, melanesians, they were agile, able, excellent seafarers wandering the many islands of the far-flung Malay Archipelago. these were the Malay people, encompassing regionally classified Melayu, Siam, Jawa, Acheh, Bugis, Banjar, Mandailing, Bangsa Moro, Cham, the original inhabitants of australia, Maoris, Pacific Islanders,....
hmm... and look closely at the features, way of life of the natives of north and south america, japan, taiwan, indo china....
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