Pangin the wild mango of Borneo


This fruit is called "pangin" in Punan. Elsewhere in Borneo it has other names - Sabahan generally refer to it as "bambangan", among the Iban "embawang".Scientifically, it is known as "mangifera pajang kosterman" a type of wild mango, endemic to island of Borneo.

And not too long ago,  Punan in Kakus often referred to those from the Rejang River as people from baliu pangin literally means "land of wild mango". The legend is that the wild mango of the Rejang River, land of wild mango is comparatively bigger, sweeter than those found in Kakus - probably due to soil fertility variation. An unripe wild mango, however, taste the same anywhere - sour.



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