DID you know that the pisang nangka (jackfruit banana) tastes sourish when it is ripe? And that pisang susu (milk banana) is named as such because its shape is like a feeding bottle?
These were among the things that some 20 primary school children learnt at the ‘Going Bananas’ workshop organised by the Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society at Botanika Outreach on Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang, on Tuesday.
When asked what ‘Going Bananas’ meant, one of the children shouted merrily: “Like going into the banana,” which instantly drew smiles and warmed up the workshop.
Retired biology lecturer Dr Liew Kon Wui, 62, taught the children about the different types of bananas available in the country, the structure of the banana plant, as well as its different uses.
Dr Liew showing the various bananas available in the country.
He showed and dissected a banana plant to enable the children to better understand it.
“The tender part of the jantung or the floral bud of the plant is edible but usually doesn’t taste good,” he explained.
“It won’t taste good if the sap turns dark brown when it is cut in half,” he said.
Dr Liew also related a legend of the pisang udang (prawn banana) which has maroon-coloured skin.
“There was a prince in the olden days who fought and got badly injured in a war. He took refuge under a banana plant in the jungle and fainted.
“When he regained consciousness, he found out that his wounds were already treated and there was also a young lady tending to him.
Nur Nelisha, 10, learning to weave a rope using banana plant fibre.
“He later discovered that she was a spirit of the banana plant, after which, he returned to his palace. When he went back to the plant later, he found out that it was bearing bananas with maroon-coloured skin.
“Being grateful to the plant, he ordered his subjects to never eat the fruit or chop down the plant,” Dr Liew said, adding that this superstition was still prevalent among the Malay community who refrain from eating pisang udang.
On the workshop, he said it was an opportunity to provide exposure to the children on nature’s wonders.
“We want to get their hands dirty and let them experience what we used to do back in the days when we were small,” he added.
The children were later taught how to fold banana leaves into square moulds which are useful in kuih-making as well as weaving ropes using fibre from the plant.
They were also treated to banana shakes, fried banana fritters and banana chips.
T. Shivaani, nine, said she learnt valuable knowledge about the banana plant, adding that the workshop was more fun than she had expected.
Fried bananas anyone?
“I love bananas and this is really fun. I’m enjoying myself in the rope-making!” she said, barely concealing her glee.
The children were also taught to make their own art prints using banana stems.
The society will hold two more programmes for children this week.
They are Rainforest Walk (aged 8 and above) today and Seeds Safari tomorrow.
Both programmes will run from 9am to 10.30am.
For details and registration, call 04-2279915 between 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Archieve: Friday March 20, 2009
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