Discovering the ‘others’ who make Malaysia what it is

In a journey to discover Malaysia's diverse cultural landscape, social activist Faye Lim (centre) met with various indigenous communities such as the Kelabit, Kiput, Dusun Tatana, Melanau, and Tabun. The encounter happened during a combined celebration of Kaamatan and Gawai festivities in Sabah and Sarawak. Initially, Lim was unaware of these communities, feeling ashamed when she realized there were so many she knew nothing about.

Her curiosity led her to establish the Rojak Projek, a platform that uses art, food, and culture to foster connections among Malaysians from different backgrounds.

Through her projects, Lim gathered information on more than 250 ethnic and sub-ethnic groups, emphasizing the need to appreciate the breadth of Malaysia's diversity. Her efforts culminated in a trip to Sarawak, where she received a Gamuda Foundation grant to document the cultures of Orang Ulu communities. Despite setting out to meet 15 communities, Lim and her team documented the stories of 18 different groups, including the Lun Bawang, Kedayan, Bisaya, Tabun, Berawan, Tering, Sa’ban, Kenyah, Penan, and Penan Peruan. These stories were shared through social media and art exhibitions.

Lim recognized that small community sizes shouldn't overshadow their significance, especially when their languages, customs, and cultures are at risk of disappearing. Many of these communities rely on younger generations migrating to cities, leaving older members as the last practitioners of their traditions. The team embarked on challenging journeys to reach remote locations, often enduring difficult conditions.

Despite the hardships, Lim's determination to share these overlooked stories only grew stronger, viewing it as a vital part of understanding Malaysia itself.