coriander in pho

In Malaysian/Malay/Indonesian folklores, there is a character named “Pak Belang” (Mister Stripes), or “Kakek Belang” (Grandpa Stripes) that usually live deep inside the forest with magical powers of granting wishes and feared by the villagers.

I just found out, Pak Belang refers to Panthera tigris. The tiger.

I find it endearing for folks to call animals with honorific. To honor and acknowledge those who have been living far longer before we humans came.

When I was a kid, my late grandma always said, “excuse me…“ whenever we walked passed some abandoned gardens or some kind of forests.

I asked her why; she answered — and apparently it’s really common among Javanese folks — that the forests or some abandoned places might have some invisible residents. We as humans need to respect them, as they know more about the place than we do.

I feel this is not only specifically on Javanese culture; but also on many many many cultures and beliefs outside Java.

Next time you hike on the mountains or in the forests, don’t forget to say hello — and always always always pick your trash along the trip. Be mindful.

(I also just realized I forgot to draw the cat’s tail.)

I set brightness and exposure like crazy here since I took the pic in the evening (using indoor lighting) — and you know how it is with the shadows and all that.

I’m starting to like the cat character. It’s like creating your own adventure; from sailing the sea full of stars (Day 4) to Alice in Wonderland-esque roadsigns.

I can’t draw ship to save my life so I decided to “wing it” (get it get it? Heheheheheh) and make some kind of fantasy-themed drawing.