The Tualang Honey at the Educational Research Impact Showcase 2026

Tualang Honey, a children’s storybook produced as part of Voices of the Rainforest, is being exhibited at the Educational Research Impact Showcase 2026 from 20 to 24 April 2026. The showcase, organised by the School of Education, University of Leeds, is hosted at Helix on 20 April and at Hillary Place from 21 to 24 April.

Tualang Honey tells the story of the Jahai Orang Asli community, who depend on the rainforest for their livelihood through harvesting honey from the towering Tualang trees. They recognise the arrival of the honey season by referring to an ecological calendar, developed through careful observation of climatic changes and their effects on flora and fauna. This local knowledge enables them to adapt to weather conditions and seasonal shifts. The honey is harvested sustainably, and the yield is shared among members of the village. The story highlights traditional values such as caring for the natural environment, sharing sustenance, and honouring knowledge passed down through generations, reflecting the deep connection between the Jahai Orang Asli and the forest that sustains them.

Beyond engaging with the storybook, the Voices of the Rainforest stall attracted considerable interest from attendees, who sampled authentic Tualang honey, sustainably harvested in the wild by indigenous Jahai communities from the 130-million-year-old rainforest of Royal Belum State Park, Malaysia.

Tualang Honey, written by Dr Syafiq Mat Noor and illustrated by Luqman Mohd Hanapiah, is available in three languages: English, Malay, and Jahai. It is among the first published book materials in the Jahai language and is suitable for primary school children, both within and beyond indigenous communities.

For enquiries or to obtain a copy, please contact: [email protected].