Nakawan - The Living Soul of Perlis / Nadi Bumi Perlis is a 130-page photographic journey through one of Malaysia's oldest and most extraordinary landscapes - the ancient Nakawan Range. Serving as the highly anticipated sequel to Wang Kelian, Perlis - The Forgotten Valley / Lembah yang kian hilang, this new volume continues the exploration of Perlis geological, ecological, and cultural heritage beyond Wang Kelian, tracing the dramatic spine of the Nakawan Range from the limestone hills of the north to the coastal waters of Kuala Perlis.
Stretching approximately 36 kilometres from Wang Kelian in the north to the coastline of Kuala Perlis in the west, the 400 million-year-old Nakawan Range forms a striking natural backbone across the state of Perlis. More than a geological wonder, the range also serves as a natural boundary between Malaysia and Thailand, shaping centuries of shared history, trade, migration, and cultural exchange among the communities living along its foothills and shores.
Through powerful photography, field documentation, and storytelling, the book reveals the remarkable biodiversity that makes the Nakawan Range one of Malaysia's hidden ecological treasures. From the elusive Dusky Eagle-Owl perched atop the cliffs of Wang Kelian, to the iconic Stump-tailed Macaque — whose only known Malaysian population survives within these forests - and the Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins inhabiting the waters off Kuala Perlis, the range emerges as a living sanctuary where land, river, forest, and sea remain deeply interconnected.
Beyond its wildlife, Nakawan - The Living Soul of Perlis / Nadi Bumi Perlis is also a tribute to the people whose lives have long been shaped by the terrain and waters of the range. The rivers flowing from Nakawan nourish the agricultural heartlands of Perlis, while its forests and natural resources have supported generations of craftsmanship and tradition, including the forging of the famed Perlis keris known as the Wali Jantan. The book also documents the enduring maritime heritage of Kuala Perlis, where timber from the forests once provided materials for the traditional boats used during the annual Pesta Air Kuala Perlis - a vibrant celebration of community spirit and cultural identity through traditional boat racing.
Both intimate and expansive, this publication is ultimately a celebration of a landscape that continues to define Perlis a living soul carved through deep time, sustained by nature, and carried forward by the stories of its people.
This is the third photo book publication of wildlife and nature photographer Peter Ong whose previous publications include Wang Kelian, Perlis - The Forgotten Valley and Primus - The Primates of Peninsular Malaysia.
Photography and Text by Peter Ong
Edited by Junji Delfino
Translated by Mursh Matsom and and Syamil Abd Rahman
Illustrated by Jennifer P. Linggi
Language: English/ Malay
Publisher: Monyet Ventures, 2026
ISBN: 9786299822134
A project by Roots & Shoots Malaysia.
Funded by Ministry of Finance.
In Partnership with Sustainable Tourism Malaysia.
Co-Chaired by The Habitat Foundation and Tengah Island Conservation.
Supported by Yayasan Hasanah, Manulife, Perhutanan, Perlis State Park, Perlis Nature Explorer
Official Imaging Partner - Canon.