Guardians of indigenous culture

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.