The Deadly Art of the Sumpit (Blowgun): Unveiling the Secrets of the Ipuh Poison

Interestingly, while ipuh poison has little effect if ingested, it becomes extremely dangerous once it enters the bloodstream. 

The process of creating poison from ipuh sap—also known as ipoh or upas, scientifically named Antiaris toxicaria—is a closely guarded secret, protected as ancient Dayak knowledge.

As illustrated in this novel, the ipuh tree requires a unique method to harvest its sap, and the Dayak people use this to create poison for their blowpipe darts. 

Curiously, animals hit by these poisoned darts often do not die or suffer from contamination, leading to the Iban proverb, "bisa nyau baka ipuh, tajam nyau baka laja!" (Poisonous like ipuh, sharp like the blowpipe’s dart).

There are various types of ipuh

Among the Dayak, there are various types of ipuh. Some are used for hunting, making prey faint without posing a risk to humans if consumed. 

Others are so toxic that no other plants can grow nearby, and the most lethal type can kill within two hours of entering the body.

Typically, ipuh poison is contained within the blowpipe’s darts. 

The sharp tips of these darts wound the target, allowing the poison to enter the body through the injury. Hence, the real threat lies not in the dart itself, but in the ipuh poison it carries.

The method for extracting sap from the antiaris toxicaria tree is a time-honored skill passed down through generations, known only to a few. 

This story delves into the unique and perilous nature of ipuh poison within Dayak culture, revealing the ancient secrets and knowledge it encompasses.

The mysterious Ipuh tree: A Bornean treasure

In the lush, verdant rainforests of Borneo, a hidden gem of nature thrives—the ipuh tree. This enigmatic tree, known scientifically as Antiaris toxicaria, is the exclusive source of a poison so potent that it has become integral to the traditional weaponry of the Dayak people. 

The ipuh tree, with its elusive and rare presence, is found only in the heart of Borneo’s rainforests, making it a prized and protected element of this unique ecosystem.

The ipuh tree’s sap, when properly harvested and processed, produces a venomous toxin used to coat the tips of blowpipe darts. 

This toxin has a fearsome reputation: it can incapacitate or kill swiftly and silently. However, the tree's exclusive habitat in Borneo's dense and often impenetrable jungles adds to the mystique and value of the ipuh poison. 

The rainforest environment is the perfect setting for the ipuh tree, contributing to its rarity and the secrecy surrounding its use.

Finding and extracting the sap from the ipuh tree is no small feat. The Dayak people, who have honed their skills over generations, are among the few who possess the knowledge and expertise to navigate the rainforest and harvest this precious substance. 

The Dayak people's understanding of the tree and its environment highlights the deep, ancient connection between them and their land.

The exclusivity of the ipuh tree to Borneo’s rainforests not only heightens its allure but also ensures that its secrets remain closely guarded. 

As a result, the ipuh poison remains one of the most potent and enigmatic substances in the world of traditional weaponry and indigenous knowledge.

-- Masri Sareb Putra, M.A.