Tales of the Mossy Forest

By Marieke Behlen

Supervisor: Dr. Anna-Maria Walter

The Cameron Highlands is a unique natural landscape located at an elevation of 1,500 meters in Peninsular Malaysia. It encompasses a series of peaceful townships nestled among serene mountains, featuring three river systems. Named after British surveyor William Cameron, who was commissioned by the colonial government to map out that area in 1885, the Highlands reflect a history of colonial influence. One of its main attractions is the Mossy Forest, a tropical evergreen forest, where constant cloud cover maintains a cool and moist environment, allowing mosses, ferns, and orchids to thrive. Often, through a European lens, landscapes like the mossy forest are perceived as exotic or magical, highlighting the tendency to romanticize unfamiliar places while overlooking the impact of colonialism on these regions. This inspired me to write the short story “Tales of the Mossy Forest”, exploring the themes of environmentalism and colonialism in Malaysia. In 1885, British explorer William Cameron navigates the dense jungles of Malaya, driven by a colonial mission to map the foreign territory. In 2023, Greta, a young European backpacker, joins a guided tour of the mossy forest in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and is transported back in time upon touching a giant flower. She meets William and tries to make him understand the consequences of colonialism, emphasizing respect for native cultures and the environment. William, initially resistant and viewing her as a divine messenger, slowly begins to question his beliefs. Greta awakens from what seems to be a vivid dream, reflecting on her profound experience and its lasting impacts on her. The narrative explores the tension between the exploitation of natural resources and the need for conservation, highlighting the enduring beauty and cultural significance of Malaysia’s Mossy Forest. Through the characters' encounters in the forest, the story examines the effects of colonialism on nature and challenges readers to reflect on how cultural perspectives shape our understanding of the natural world. It criticizes colonialism's legacy and emphasizes the importance of understanding and protecting these unique ecosystems.