Sibu Tales : The Ensurai Tree

The ensurai is a tree that is often standing precariously over the water edge and overlooking a river. When the berries of the tree are ripe schools of fishes would be below waiting to eat them. This fabulous tree is found in Ulu Medamit, near Rh. Aling.

Having known about ensurai trees for years, I must say that this should be the origin of the name of Ensurai, or Wong Su Lai, the place where Wong Nai Siong allocated to the Kutien pioneers when they first arrived in Sibu in 1901. According to some relatives, there were indeed a few ensurai trees growing along the banks of the Rajang near Hock Chiong Shop, the shop owned by the family of the Foochow headman, Lau Kah Tii, which was operated by Uncle Lau Sing Chiong. In fact there was a huge ensurai tree right in front of the shop. Many students who rode the motor launches from Bawang Assan remembered the nice shop and the ensurai tree.

Generally, in the past a fruiting ensurai tree in Sarawak would always attract Iban fishermen who lived in the vicinity to sit below it. Today, with lots of development and progress, it would be hard to find ensurai trees on the banks of rivers, unless you travel really up to the ulu.

Some times two ensurai  trees would grow on opposite banks of  a small river.  And I can imagine that this tree and its neighbour across the river saw plenty of fishermen in their lifetime. I would also imagine that they would salute each other when they started to fruit and say let's see how many people come and fish this season!! Or if they could see better they might even say let's see how many fish come by!!

So these two trees would say..."There's a semah there...."

And one of the trees would say .."That's a mengalan there..."

And the other one would..."Hey...there are so many Ikan Padi there and a few prawns too with their bright eyes...."


And I wish I could speak tree language and hear their conversation. Trees do communicate with each other.



This is the ensurai tree standing on the right bank of the Ulu Medamit river where the old hanging bridge ended. (The bridge was washed away in 2009 and has not been repaired.)

Its leaves are so beautiful. Two older ensurai trees have been washed away by the flood together with the second bridge as they held that bridge. These trees usually take 100 years to grow to full size. So it is a pity to cut down these trees recklessly.

Ensurai trees usually keep the banks of the river very neat and tidy. Prevent erosion!!