STK108 - 108 mala made with Wild Agarwood from Tarakan

The scent of damp earth and distant smoke clung to the air as old Jalong carefully counted the beads, his calloused fingers tracing the worn, greyish-brown spheres. One hundred and eight, plus the six counters, each a testament to the wild heart of Tarakan. Sixteen grams of pure, untamed forest, captured in a string of agarwood.

Jalong, a Dayak elder, had spent a lifetime walking the shadowed trails of the Bornean jungle. He knew the whispers of the wind through the towering Aquilaria trees, the secrets they held within their fragrant heartwood. He knew the telltale signs of the fungal infection, the dark, resinous streaks that marked the birth of precious agarwood.

This mala, he knew, was special. It was born of a tree deep within the interior, a tree that had weathered countless monsoons and scorching suns. The beads, each one hand-carved, carried the story of its struggle, its resilience. He'd bartered for it with a younger hunter, a lad with eyes too eager and hands too quick. Jalong had seen the flash of greed, the desire to trade the raw forest bounty for the fleeting trinkets of the city.

This mala has a subtle woody aroma.

Jalong remembered his own youth, the thrill of the hunt, the days spent tracking the elusive agarwood through the dense undergrowth. He remembered the old ways, the respect for the forest, the understanding that taking was a privilege, not a right. He worried for the future, for the young ones who saw the forest as a resource to be exploited, not a sacred trust.

He closed his eyes, his fingers moving rhythmically over the beads. Each one was a prayer, a plea for the old ways to be remembered, for the forest to be protected. He imagined the mala finding its way to a new owner, someone who would understand its story, its connection to the wild heart of Tarakan. Someone who would wear it not as a mere trinket, but as a reminder of the ancient bond between man and forest.

Is this genuine Agarwood?

You only want to real thing.

I get it. I  understand that authenticity is paramount when dealing with agarwood. That's why, instead of a simple certificate, I provide you with an original piece of Tarakan agarwood alongside your mala. You can even gently burn a tiny fragment to experience the true aroma of wild Tarakan. This way, you can verify the genuine nature of your purchase and truly connect with the forest's essence. This isn't just about owning a beautiful mala; it's about experiencing the real thing."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village, Jalong knew that the mala's journey was just beginning. It was a journey that carried the scent of agarwood, the whispers of the forest, and the hope for a future where the wild heart of Tarakan would continue to beat strong.

Weight: 16g

Tarakan Wild Agarwood
Total beads: 108 + 6 counter = 114 beads
1 piece of Tarakan Agarwood is included