Orang Pendek (Indonesian for "short person") is the most common name given to a cryptid, or unconfirmed animal, that reportedly inhabits remote, mountainous forests on the island of Sumatra.
The animal has allegedly been seen and documented for at least one hundred years by forest tribes, local villagers, Dutch colonists, and Western scientists and travelers. The consensus among witnesses is that the animal is a ground-dwelling, bipedal primate that is covered in short fur and stands between 80 centimeters (31 in) and 150 centimeters (59 in) tall
This cast was made from a footprint discovered by 3 British men, Adam Davies, Andrew Sanderson, and Keith Townley while traveling in Kerinci. This, along with hair which was also found was analyzed by scientists from 2001 to 2003. Dr. David Chivers, a primate biologist from the University of Cambridge, compared the cast with those from other known primates and local animals and concluded:
"...the cast of the footprint taken was definitely an ape with a unique blend of features from gibbon, orang-utan, chimpanzee, and human. From further examination, the print did not match any known primate species and I can conclude that this points towards there being a large unknown primate in the forests of Sumatra."
(Sanderson, Andrew, and Adam Davies (2003). "Extreme Expeditions".)
This is a cast replica made from the original footprint of Orang Pendek. It was discovered by Adam Davies in Sumatra. We pay a royalty on each cast sold.
Casts have string or wire on the back for hanging.
Each is sold separately.
Orang Pendek footprint cast replica #1
This cast measures approximately __" long x __" wide.
This is a cast replica of an alleged Orang Pendek. We have 5 different casts said to be from this creature.
This creature appears to have an opposable big toe similar to a "Little foot". This could be useful to grasp trees to find food or escape from predators. A tree-dwelling creature when needed. Some of the tracks display splayed toes.
In Indonesian folklore, the Orang Pendek (Indonesian for 'short person') is the most common name given to a creature said to inhabit remote, mountainous forests on the island of Sumatra. The creature has allegedly been seen and documented for at least 100 years by forest tribes, local villagers, Dutch colonists, and Western scientists and travelers. The consensus among witnesses is that the entity is a ground-dwelling, bipedal primate covered in short fur, standing between 80 and 150 cm (30 and 60 in) tall
The following sources refer to the purported creature:
Suku Anak Dalam
The Suku Anak Dalam ("Children of the Inner-forest") – also known as Orang Kubu, Orang Batinn Simbilan, or Orang Rimba – are groups of nomadic people who have traditionally lived throughout the lowland forests of Jambi and South Sumatra. According to their legends, Orang Pendek has been a part of their world and a co-inhabitant of the forest for centuries.
In Bukit Duabelas, the Orang Rimba speak of a creature, known as "Hantu Pendek", whose description closely matches that of Orang Pendek. However, Hantu Pendek is thought of more as a supernatural entity or demon rather than an animal, with the name translating to "short ghost". According to the Orang Rimba, the Hantu Pendek travel in groups of five or six, subsisting on wild yams and hunting animals with small axes. Accounts of the creature claim it ambushes unfortunate Orang Rimba hunters traveling alone in the forest. Along the Makekal River on the western edge of Bukit Duabelas, people recount a legend of how their ancestors outsmarted these cunning yet dim-witted creatures during a hunting trip, and the story is often used to boast of their intellect and reason.
Dutch colonists
Dutch settlers in the early 20th century provided Westerners with their modern introduction to Orang Pendek-like animals in Sumatra. One account in particular is widely reported:
- Mr. van Heerwarden, described an encounter he had while surveying land in 1923:
I discovered a dark and hairy creature on a branch... The sedapa was also hairy on the front of its body; the colour there was a little lighter than on the back. The very dark hair on its head fell to just below the shoulder-blades or even almost to the waist... Had it been standing, its arms would have reached to a little above its knees; they were therefore long, but its legs seemed to me rather short. I did not see its feet, but I did see some toes which were shaped in a very normal manner... There was nothing repulsive or ugly about its face, nor was it at all apelike.
We pay a royalty on this cast. It is also available in resin for a slight upcharge.