Sago worm
Encyclopedia
The Sago worm or Sago grub is the larva of the Sago Palm Weevil or Red Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus).
(after which it takes its name), which is common in the wetter freshwater swampy parts of Southeast Asia
and Melanesia
. The weevil has also been reported from China, Saudi Arabia (where it is an important pest of dates), Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Sago worms have a plump, yellowy-cream body with a soft-ridged texture and a hard-shelled head. The body of the worm is covered by fine hair.
sago worms are roasted on a spit to celebrate special occasions. They are eaten either alive or cooked in many parts of New Guinea, notably among the Asmat
, Korowai
and Kombai
peoples of southern New Guinea. Sago grubs have been described as tasting like bacon or meat, and are often cooked together with sago
flour.
Sago Delight,or Fried Sago Worms is a speciality in Malaysia, although versions of this dish can be found in many Southeast Asian countries and Papua New Guinea
. The sago worm also can be found in other starch-bearing palms such as the Pantu palm and Aping palm found in the interior of Borneo
. It is regarded as a special high-nutrient delicacy among most Sarawak
tribes such as the Melanau
and the Dayak
.
Overview
The worm lives and feeds on the starchy pulp of the trunk of the sago palmMetroxylon sagu
Metroxylon sagu is a species of palm in the genus Metroxylon, native to tropical southeastern Asia in Indonesia , Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and possibly also the Philippines .It is a monocarpic palm growing to 10 m tall or more, with pinnate leaves up to 7 m...
(after which it takes its name), which is common in the wetter freshwater swampy parts of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and Melanesia
Melanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
. The weevil has also been reported from China, Saudi Arabia (where it is an important pest of dates), Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Sago worms have a plump, yellowy-cream body with a soft-ridged texture and a hard-shelled head. The body of the worm is covered by fine hair.
Cultural uses
In New GuineaNew Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
sago worms are roasted on a spit to celebrate special occasions. They are eaten either alive or cooked in many parts of New Guinea, notably among the Asmat
Asmat people
The Asmat are an ethnic group of New Guinea, residing in the Papua province of Indonesia. Possessing one of the most well-known and vibrant woodcarving traditions in the Pacific, their art is sought by collectors worldwide...
, Korowai
Korowai
The korowai, also called the Kolufo, are a people of southeastern Papua . They number about 3,000. Until 1970, they were unaware of the existence of any people besides themselves....
and Kombai
Kombai
Kombai may be referring to:* Kombai people* Kombai, Tamil Nadu* Combai A dog from the region of Kombai often referred to as Kombai....
peoples of southern New Guinea. Sago grubs have been described as tasting like bacon or meat, and are often cooked together with sago
Sago
Sago is a starch extracted in the spongy center or pith, of various tropical palm stems, Metroxylon sagu. It is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas, where it is called saksak and sagu. A type of flour, called sago flour, is made from sago. The largest supply...
flour.
Sago Delight,or Fried Sago Worms is a speciality in Malaysia, although versions of this dish can be found in many Southeast Asian countries and Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. The sago worm also can be found in other starch-bearing palms such as the Pantu palm and Aping palm found in the interior of Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
. It is regarded as a special high-nutrient delicacy among most Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
tribes such as the Melanau
Melanau
The Melanau are a people who live on the island of Borneo, primarily in Sarawak, Malaysia, but also in Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are among the earliest settlers of Sarawak, and speak a Northwest Malayo-Polynesian language .-Origins:...
and the Dayak
Dayak people
The Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily...
.