A selection of books featuring indigenous folk tales and cultures from across Malaysia is seen at the Bundusan Books pop-up stall at a recent folk arts event in Kuala Lumpur.-RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
TO the indigenous peoples of Malaysia – known collectively as Orang Asal, or Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia – everything has a soul.
“From the trees, the mountains, rivers and rocks to the soil, flora and fauna. Once you know that, you understand why the Orang Asli hold respect and reverence to everything in their environment,” said Wendi Sia, co-founder of Gerimis ArtProject, a collaborative art project and archiving initiative aimed at preserving the history and oral storytelling traditions of the Orang Asli.
“Not many Malaysians have the opportunity to be in touch with the Orang Asli and hold conversations with them, so Gerimis brings together these different world views to find a universal understanding through the lens of art and culture,” added Sia.
Broader exposure
Earlier this year, Gerimis published Mah Meri Animal Folklore, a compilation of folk tales revolving around animals, as told by Julida Uju, a Mah Meri cultural activist.
The storytelling sessions to launch the book in the Klang Valley were well-received, attracting an all-ages audience.
Julida (left) and Sia during a storytelling recording session for the ‘Mah Meri Animal Folklore’ book project. — Gerimis Art Project
Sia noted that since the collective was formed in 2018, there has definitely been increased interest among Malaysians in learning about Orang Asli culture and folklore.
“Firstly, it is because Orang Asli themselves have started many initiatives, such as Apa Kata Orang Asli Wanita and Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Orang Asal Perak (PKKOAP), from the realisation that it is urgent to have their voices and cultures heard and seen.
“Secondly, many events now include Orang Asli in their programmes, making space for the larger public to learn about our indigenous communities,” said Sia, who hopes to see more Orang Asli youth championing their arts and cultures.
Orang Asli artist Saluji Yeok So Alu, who has published illustrated books such as Nenek Dengan Yeok Luat, and Let The Maps Speak! (Biar Pete de Besuara! in Semai), is one of the new generation storytellers who works to raise awareness about the preservation of the Semai tribe’s tradition of sharing knowledge, culture and history orally.
“Storytelling is the best tool we have for effectively communicating our own history and culture. Right now, we are racing against time to collect our own stories ... but it’s heartening to find so many Malaysians now who are keen and curious to learn about Orang Asli stories,” says Saluji when discussing how his most personal stories are tied to his village, Kampung Ulu Penderas in Slim River, Perak.
Bridging the gap
In Miri, Sarawak, the Tuyang Initiative, a social enterprise, has been actively – since 2017 – connecting the indigenous Borneo communities and their cultural guardians to the creative economy through the arts.
Its first book project Dayak Lore: A Collection From The Indigenous People Of Sarawak (Borneo), which was released in late 2020, is a storytelling/colouring book for children and the young at heart.
“The three stories – from the Penan, Kayan and Iban communities – in the book were adapted from Tuyang Initiative’s Tuesday Tales, an online platform for folk-based stories from Sarawak’s indigenous communities,” says Juvita Tatan Wan, the co-founder of Tuyang Initiative.
“We are still building up this digital library of traditional folk tales. We have more than enough material for a volume two of Dayak Lore. However, we are not really a distribution outfit, and it has been difficult to get Dayak Lore into peninsular bookshops.
“In the beginning, the book received international and regional support through online sales, but gradually, more people from all over Malaysia have been contacting us directly to get a copy,” she added.
Juvita points out such books surrounding indigenous stories and oral traditions are not new in Malaysia.
“Today, I feel that more people – especially families with young children – are actively seeking such books, and it’s great to find home libraries in Penang and Ipoh having room for local books from this part of Malaysia.”
Sabahan filmmaker-artist Jesse Joy, who is the founder-curator of Bundusan Books, started the online bookshop after trying to learn more about the bundusan plant, which his grandmother used to weave mats.
Joy has been actively connecting cultures between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak through books.
“There weren’t many resources or reading materials about it, so it highlighted the need for resource materials about Sabahan and Bornean cultures to be made available,” he said.
Joy, who moves between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, said some of the books found in Kuala Lumpur did not reach Kota Kinabalu.
“I see Bundusan Books as more than just a bookshop. It’s a service – bringing forth books about Borneo, indigenous peoples, Orang Asli and championing local authors.
“Some who bought my books were happy that they could know Sabah better and connect with their heritage and culture. Others say it is great that these books are available because they don’t know much about Borneo,” he said.
Joy also points out the importance of industry support for fledgling indigenous writers.
“Telling their stories is one thing, presenting them is another. Monetary support or funding is necessary, as publishing a book will cost a lot of money.
“We also need bookshops that care enough to put their books on their shelves, as well as collaborators – those with knowledge of how the publishing industry works, someone on the creative side to do the designing, layout, art, printing and so on.”
