Red-Haired Forest Men and the First Scientific Record of Orangutans

Orangutans are an incredibly fascinating species of great apes. Native to the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra, these primates are some of the most intelligent and majestic animals on the planet. They have been a source of wonder and fascination for locals in bigfoot-like tales and folklore for centuries, but also for scientists and naturalists since the 17th century. 

In 1641, Dutch physician and naturalist Nicolaes Tulp published the first scientific description of the orangutan, calling it the “red man of the woods”. In his book “Observations on Medicine”, Tulp described the orangutan he had seen on his travels to Southeast Asia as a “savage man” with “long red hair”. He noted that the animal was quite large and quite powerful and that it could make some gestures that were very much like those of humans.

Tulp’s observations sparked the interest of other naturalists, who began to explore the natural world of Southeast Asia. In 1658, the Dutch botanist Rumphius published his Herbarium Amboinense, which included illustrations and descriptions of orangutans. He noted that they had human-like faces, long arms, and thick fur.

In 1698, English naturalist Edward Tyson wrote one of the most influential books on orangutans, called “The Man of the Woods, or The Wild Man”, which detailed the anatomy and behavior of these animals. It was the first comprehensive scientific study of orangutans, and it helped to distinguish them from other species of great apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas.

Orangutans in Southeast Asian Folklore

Orangutans have been mentioned in Southeast Asian folklore. Orang Mawas, an entity reported to inhabit the jungle of Johor in Malaysia, is a popular example. The word “orangutan” is derived from the Malay and Bahasa Indonesian words orang (person) and hutan (forest). Orangutans are extremely intelligent creatures who clearly have the ability to communicate with humans, as evidenced by their close relationship with humans for centuries. As the largest type of gibbon, they communicate with complex booming calls that can be heard over long distances.

Wild orangutans are incredibly difficult to spot in the dense rainforests they inhabit, as they are incredibly adept at camouflage. They are quite shy of human contact and will do their best to avoid it. Most of their day is spent feeding, traveling, and socializing. They feed on fruits, leaves, and bark, and are highly intelligent animals that have been known to create and use tools. Furthermore, they have complex social structures that involve a hierarchical order and vocalizations.

In the jungle, if our ancestors encountered an orange-haired humanoid creature walking between treetops, it is fairly certain that tales and myths would spread, once the story made its way back to the village.

Local Indonesian mythology has it that orangutans actually have the ability to speak, but choose not to, fearing they would be forced to work if they were ever caught. There are also stories that orangutans are endowed with special powers, such as the ability to ward off evil spirits or even bring good luck. In some areas, orangutans were even thought to be the reincarnation of their ancestors. In other areas, orangutans were considered to be taboo, and people were scared to even mention their names. For the Dayak and Iban people of Borneo, the orangutan is often seen as a symbol of fertility, and there are many stories and folktales about these creatures.

Orangutan-Human Last Common Ancestor

Humans have long known that orangutans are one of their closest living relatives. However, a recent study has provided new evidence that underscores the theory of human origin that suggests humans most likely share a common ancestor with orangutans. This split is also referenced as the “orangutan–human last common ancestor” by Jeffrey H. Schwartz, professor of anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences, and John Grehan, director of science at the Buffalo Museum.

Among the genera thought to be in the ape lineage leading up to the emergence of the great apes (Hominidae) about 13 million years ago are Proconsul, Rangwapithecus, Dendropithecus, Nacholapithecus, Equatorius, Afropithecus and Kenyapithecus, all from East Africa.

The only living great ape in Asia is the orangutan. Dryopithecus, a genus of extinct great apes, was first uncovered in France, and it had a large frontal sinus that ties it to its African forefathers. Orangutans which are only found in Asia do not. This evidence suggests that the Homininae group evolved in Africa or Western Eurasia, and the study of Dryopithecini as an outgroup of Hominidae suggests a date earlier than 8 million years ago for the Homininae-Ponginae split. This new evidence further supports the theory that humans and orangutans share a common ancestor.

The first scientific record of orangutans was essential in helping us understand these amazing animals and their importance in Southeast Asia. In the centuries since Tulp, Rumphius, and Tyson’s work, much more has been uncovered about these primates, and though loss of habitat has been a long threat to orangutans, with the help of many new initiatives, their future looks more secure than ever before.