Preserving Sarawak Arts

The Tuyang Initiative works with the indigenous communities of Sarawak to promote culture and heritage, with the aim of both preserving these aspects and creating sustainable economic activities for these communities. The initiative is taking part in this year’s Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival, and one of the performers who will be featured is Mathew Ngau Jau, renowned sape master who was declared Malaysia’s Living National Heritage by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. We speak to Mathew and The Tuyang co-founder Juvita Tatan Wan about their work, and the necessity for professional and respectful representation when it comes to indigenous artists.