The Legend of Singing Gibbons

Beside a cool mountain road with jungle on either side we strained for a glimpse of the Gibbon, whose haunting ‘whoop whoop whooping” alerted us to their presence. Our jungle guide Ms. Em saw them immediately in the upper branches of a strangling fig tree, pointed them out, and explained the animal's love of that fruit.

Gibbon

We chose Khao Yai National park for this nature-watching trip because of its easy access from Bangkok and were pleasantly surprised. Khao Yai & Korat town represent the gateway to Thailand 's North East, “Isan”. The park is known for its extent & variety of forests, waterfalls and abundant wildlife. While aware of many species and types of jungle animals in Khao Yai, one of the first creatures with which many come into contact is the Gibbon.

It was here I learned how the gibbon came to be…

Once upon a time there was a prince who studied under a hermit in a great jungle. When the prince completed his studies with the wise old hermit, he returned to his own country to ascend the throne. As he set out, the hermit gave the prince a silver casket. “Now, inside this casket is a gift for you, but if you open it before you return to the safety of your own kingdom, the gift will be lost to you”.

The Foolish Prince

The prince thanked the hermit and vowed to do as the wizened hermit ordered.

Journeying many months with the casket next to his body, the prince's curiosity naturally grew. During quiet evenings the prince longed to discover the contents of the casket, until finally he could no longer resist the temptation, and drew back the lid.

Out stepped the most beautiful woman whom the prince had ever seen and the two fell in love almost immediately.

But this changed the prince, who no longer thought of ruling his native land; his destiny awaiting him there. Rather, he wandered in idle bliss with his beautiful lady through the woods.

The Beguiling Woman

One day they were waylaid by a brigand who drew his sword and challenged the prince to fight for the beautiful lady. They fought bitterly for an hour, when the brigand gained advantage and brutally stuck the prince to the ground, knocking his sword out of reach, near the feet of the woman.

The prince gasped: “My love, if you cherish my life, hand me my sword.” But she looked at him, then to the bold brigand, and left the sword where it lay. The brigand proceeded to kill the unlucky prince, and to spirit the woman away, who made no protest and in fact went along willingly.

By and by the sage old hermit passed the place the prince had died, and he knew what had happened. Moved by the memory of his days teaching the young man, he breathed life into the body and forgetfulness of what had passed. As the prince rose up, the hermit withdrew unseen into the woods.

But the hermit was moved to anger with the woman; he turned her into a gibbon, filling her with shame at her betrayal, and rekindling the flame of her former love for the prince. From that day to this she has roamed the forest in search of her lover, but ever in vain. The mournful song that you may hear in the morning rising from the trees is her song of remorse.

•  From the Singing Ape, A Journey to the Jungles of Thailand (by Jeremy & Patricia Raemaekers)

Gibbon populations have been profoundly affected by deforestation throughout Asia. If you would like to see these creatures in their remaining natural habitats, please contact us to arrange a wild life adventure.

Special thanks to Wild Watch Thailand.