Curtin Malaysia field study brings Kayan oral histories and traditions to the digital age

Miri, Sarawak – 6 July 2025 – In the heart of Sarawak’s interior, a powerful cultural revival is underway. A dedicated team from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has completed a landmark field trip to Daleh Long Pelutan, a remote Kayan longhouse settlement in Baram, as part of an urgent effort to document and preserve the vanishing languages and traditions of Sarawak’s indigenous peoples.

Led by Dr. Roselind Wan, a Kayan scholar and senior academic at Curtin Malaysia, the initiative brought together researchers Foad Motalebi (Curtin Malaysia), Dr. Marcelo Schellini (Universiti Brunei Darussalam), and Curtin Malaysia student Britto Augustus. Their mission was to safeguard a rich cultural legacy that is at risk of being lost forever.

“Our languages and stories are disappearing faster than we can record them,” said Dr. Roselind. “This work is about ensuring our children and grandchildren can hear the voices of their ancestors.”

Over the course of several days, the team recorded oral histories, documented traditional arts, and filmed cultural artefacts, working hand-in-hand with the longhouse residents. The resulting materials will be made available in an online archive, a first-of-its-kind digital resource for educators, researchers, and indigenous communities.

In a poignant moment during the visit, former Paramount Chief of the Orang Ulu, Pahang Deng, praised the project as a lifeline for Indigenous identity. “To see our stories and language preserved in a way that will outlast us, it is a gift to future generations,” he said.

The team also brought cultural storytelling to life with a reading session of ‘Lung Lebui’, a traditional Kayan folktale, for local children. Their eager faces lit up as they heard a story rooted in their own heritage – a rarity in published literature.

“The children were enthralled,” said Curtin student Britto Augustus. “It is a powerful reminder of how hungry they are to connect with their roots.”

This initiative underscores Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to community-based research and indigenous empowerment, with support from the Endangered Language Fund (ELF), USA. It marks a critical step forward in giving Indigenous communities ownership over their narratives, and the tools to carry them into the future.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my, or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

(From right) Dr. Schellini, Dr. Roselind, Pahang Deng, Foad, and Britto.

Dr. Roselind and Dr. Schellini recording oral history with Pahang Deng

Group photo with members of the Daleh Long Pelutan community