The world’s indigenous communities are struggling to be recognised,
writes Stuart Danker
IT’S International Indigenous People’s Day today, a day to celebrate the rights and customs of the world’s aborigines. While celebrations on the national level are being held in Tenom, Sabah, from Aug 7 to 10, we meanwhile take a look at books that offer a better insight into the communities and their culture.
The Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) coordinator Dr Colin Nicholas has played a big role in this and he relates the obstacles he encountered while writing and publishing.
“The main concern in publishing these books is the cost. We usually self-publish because funding is hard to come by. We also go through bottlenecks in editing and designing, which sometimes are a huge hindrance where time is concerned. Our main agenda is not profits as clearing our stock can take up to two years. It’s the dissemination of information that drives us to publish these books,” he says.
The books are priced affordably to promote greater reach in awareness and interest. “We have encouraged the indigenous people to document their own history and surprisingly in some cases, even when most of the documentation was done in their languages such as Semai, the indigenous people requested for it to be translated into Bahasa Malaysia, simply because this would reach a wider audience,” he says.
He mentions projects that will help spread better understanding and there are plans to educate those unfamiliar with the subject. One such project is a 30 to 40 page primer that will give a layman a general overview of the people and will hopefully create interest.
Orang Asli Animal Tales
By: Lim Boo Liat
Publisher: COAC
Pages: 204
This book is a great introduction into the world of the Orang Asli. An easy read on the whole, Lim takes readers into stories woven with moral values. It tells anecdotes of animals from their folklore, such as how tapirs got the white band on their bellies, or how the king of the jungle is not the lion.
This book illustrates the collaborative relationship between the Orang Asli and writers. Lim, a zoologist, offers a fun read, delivering a fine balance between knowledge and entertainment.
My Personal Journey In Observing The Dynamic Iskandar Malaysia and Its Forgotten Gypsies: Economic Development Contradictions and Cultural Change
By: Prof Jamilah Ariffin
Publisher: iResolve
Pages: 275
This book is a product of 13 years of research on the Orang Seletar of Johor, sea gypsies who were displaced by the building of Seletar Reservoir in Singapore. Prof Jamilah, a trained sociologist, did 18 years of welfare work with the group before making the decision to write about the people.
The Orang Seletar were of paramount interest to her during her husband Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman’s tenure as Johor’s mentri besar. In 2000, she initiated an Orang Asli project to ensure that they had regular access to health facilities, leading to her subsequent involvement with the Orang Seletar.
Unlike other indigenous peoples, the Orang Seletar still live on Pau Kajangs, houseboats with thatched roofs, and their culture and traditions are closely tied to the water. Currently, they number 1,200 and they struggle to gain access to education and hold on to their land.
In her book, Prof Jamilah writes about the impact of modernisation and urges developers to opt for in situ development to protect the rights and livelihood of the remaining Seletar. Although the book is detailed enough for students of the social sciences, especially in the field of development economics, it would be of interest to the general public too who wish to know more about this little-known indigenous tribe.
Orang Asli Women And The Forest: The Impact Of Resource Depletion On Gender Relations Among The Semai
By: Colin Nicholas, Tijah Yok Chopil, Tiah Sabak
Publisher: COAC
Pages: 131
The drive for gender equality is common, but more so for the Orang Asli community, especially in recent years. The book first takes readers through the responsibilities and lives of the women.
It discusses whether the availability of resources and changes in their environment, impact on changes in gender relations.
Flowed Over: The Babagon Dam And The Resettlement Of The Kadazandusun In Sabah
By: Carol Yong Ooi Lin
Pages: 217
The Kadazandusun is a group that brings together two indigenous tribes — the Kadazan and Dusun — from East Malaysia. The Kadazandusun comprises 40 or more groups across East Malaysia, but this book focuses on Kampung Tampasak in Penampang, especially the construction of the Babagon Dam.
It traces the social and economic impact of the resettlement. The issue of gender inequality is more apparent during the resettlement period, such as women’s lack of access to better opportunities.
Looking For Money: Capitalism And Modernity In An Orang Asli Village
By: Alberto Gomes
Pages: 236
The Semai are a peaceful people, with animism being the majority belief. For them, everything has a soul, including the sun, mountains and rivers. This contributes to the non-confrontational nature of the tribe, which is why they opt to settle disputes through discussions, with their motto: “There are more reasons to fear disputes than a tiger.”
The book delves into how this tribe deals with development, mainly the adoption of the market economy and implication on their lives.
Orang Hulu: A Report Of The Orang Asli In The 1960s
By: Narifumi Maeda Tachimoto
Publisher: COAC
Pages: 104
This book focuses on the Orang Hulu of Johor. Sociologist and anthropologist Tachimoto offers a historical perspective of the group and touches on relationship dynamics, conflict resolution and the effects of development on the Orang Hulu.
For knowledge-seekers and Orang Hulu alike, this book is a historical record on a shrinking population.