This book was made possible through the Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS) awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia from July 2012 to JUly 2014. We are indeed grateful to the Ministry for supporting this researchj project and enabling the documentation of the Orang Asli’s folktales, which that embody their cultural aesthetics, worldview and wisdom. We also express our appreciation to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) for encouraging the extension of knowledge and sustainability of cultural heritage through research, publication, and commercialisation.

We extend our warmest appreciation to the two Orang Asli storytellers who told us the stories of Bah Luj, otherwise known as Mamak Bongsu, the hero in this folktales siri. Bah Kang s/o (son of) Bah Mat is a talented Semai storyteller in his late 70s. He told stories of Bah Luj with a cheeky sense of humour and passion. Bah Kang is a tok halaq or traditional shaman and helaer form Kampung Bukit Terang, a village located in Kampar town, in the state of Perak. Besides this, Bah Kang also has a talent for storytelling. Our second storyteller was Harun Bin Itam, a Temuan from Kampung Serigala. The Temuans refer to the same superhero, Bah Luj, as Mamak Bongsu. Harun knew many stories about Mamak Bongsu and was happy to share some with us. His stories of Mamak Bongsu were colourful and diverse.