My breakfast pack consisted mainly of kanen Ee’ok, steamed rice packed in leaves (laun kanan), some siai (fire-dried roasted meat), belacan (shrimp paste), boiled tapioca leaves, water and black coffee...
Cultural Continuity of
Indigenous Communities
through the Arts -
Borneo
Community-led
Passion for the arts
Innovation with Tradition
01
About us
We are a community-led arts management company with a dream.
As a social business, we want to ensure our cultural guardians get the opportunity to gain meaningful livelihood through the arts.
We also want our culture and traditions to continue well into the future – and thrive.
As indigenous people ourselves, we feel a deep sense of responsibility and pride not only in with what we do, but also in ensuring fair and honest representation.
Established in 2017. Proudly based in Miri, Sarawak (Malaysia, Borneo).
Accredited Social Enterprise
Winner
Accredited Social Enterprise
Winner
02
What we do
Empower
Our communities to fulfill their potential.
Engage
With cultural practitioners to share our vision.
Collaborate
With partners to enable community upskilling.
Innovate
Channels to present our cultural heritage.
> 20
Cultural Practitioners
> 2,000
People delighted
> 10
Innovative products & services
> RM100,000
Income for Practitioners
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03
Our solutions
Speak to us about bespoke solutions for you.
1
Classes, Workshops & Talks
Experience the beauty of Borneo indigenous culture – taught by masters of their communities, you will receive the gift of their culture.
2
Arts & Crafts
Made with learned and passed down knowledge – everything created by our artisans has a unique story behind it.
3
Exhibitions, Demonstrations & Showcases
We pride ourselves in designing experiences that enable our cultural guardians be at the forefront in sharing their knowledge directly to audiences.
4
Performing Arts
Our stage performances are designed to enthrall. Our goal is to give an honest view into our people and culture – in formats familiar to a global audience.
5
Co-develop products & Services
We constantly look at innovating in order to drive sustainability for our communities and cultures.
6
Representation & Consultation
We help our clients ensure that we, as indigenous people are represented fairly, either in aspects of communication or commercialization.
04
Our Projects
What some of our clients and partners have to say
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Singapore Botanic Gardens -
Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival -
Song To The Earth Feat. Kayan Parap
"There is clear intentional effort to raise awareness amongst the general public of indigenous knowledge. As a result, these were effective in offering an educational insight into the intricate relationship between humans and plants, much in line with the vision of the Ethnobotany Garden. "
Shawna Ng
Deputy Director,
Singapore Botanic Gardens Development, National Parks Board (Singapore)
"Throughout the entire process, Tuyang’s team was very professional and well-organised. They were prompt, and despite being based in Sarawak, we were kept updated at all time on their progress. It was a real pleasure working with Tuyang!"
Ian Chow and Evangeline Lim
Festival Directors,
Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2018 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
"They are highly-skilled and creative proponents in the development of Dayak cultural heritage, and a major champion of its community talents and practitioners. Such a joy to work with."
Joe Sidek
Festival Director, Rainforest Fringe Festival 2019 (Sarawak, Malaysia)
As Seen On
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05
Store.
We understand your requirement and provide quality works.
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"What A Colourful Life" by Mathew Ngau Jau
RM2,200.00 -
Kelembit (Small) by Lian Balan
RM65.00
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"What A Colourful Life" by Mathew Ngau Jau
RM2,200.00 -
Kelembit (Small) by Lian Balan
RM65.00 -
Kelembit (Medium) by Lian Balan
RM120.00 -
Beluko Ulat by Various Makers
RM300.00
05
Musings
Writings about everything from our folk lores, to our hopes and dreams.
Tuesday Tales #25 : The Legend of Nkadis Niruk
There were once seven brothers that came from the Bidayuh community of Serian. All of them intended to go for a headhunting expedition at a distant village from theirs, so they asked their mother…
Tuesday Tales #24 : Kungkakap
One day Burieng Besieng was drying and pounding paddy. After pounding so long she took a rest and went to the river to bathe.
Digi shows love to the small guys…including us!
The pandemic has put small businesses, artisans and creative practitioners, such as ours, in a state of uncertainty, even in a limbo. However, we discovered that by remembering our “why”, which is our reason…
06
Our team
Juvita T. Wan
Founder & Partner
Juvita leads the team with almost 15 years experience in diverse roles such as business development, product marketing and audio visual production. Her experience in national and international companies such as Maxis, Universal Music Group and M&C Saatchi helps her in growing the team and practitioners in thinking locally and acting globally. Juvita is a Kenyah from Long San, Baram (Sarawak, Borneo).
Adrian J. Milang
Community Manager
At 23 years old, Adrian is one of the most celebrated (and youngest!) Parap and Takna’ practitioner, an oral tradition of the Kayan communities. He also undertakes roles as assistant researcher in areas of anthropology with Sarawak Museum and independent researchers. As a community Manager, Adrian engages with cultural practitioners from various Borneo indigenous communities, and helps them see the magic in their practice. Adrian is a Kayan from Tubau (Sarawak, Borneo).
Muhaimin Fudzail
Intern
Muhaimin (Min) is a Finance & Marketing major at Curtin University, Miri campus. It’s his second year of study and first year of living in Miri, Sarawak. Born in Selangor and was raised in Dubai for 16 years of his life. Min juggles university and internship at The Tuyang Initiative. Has a strange addiction watching newscast bloopers.
Darien Christopher
Intern
Darien is a fresh graduate from University Technology Malaysia major in software engineer. He have experience building websites and front-end mobile apps. Friendly and easy going person. He have lot of interest in learning about new things that catches his mind.
Juvita Tatan Wan,
Co-founder & Business Lead
Juvita leads the team with almost 15 years experience in diverse roles such as business development, product marketing and audio visual production. Her experience in national and international companies such as Maxis, Universal Music Group and M&C Saatchi helps her in growing the team and practitioners in thinking locally and acting globally. Juvita is a Kenyah from Long San, Baram (Sarawak, Borneo).
John Wan Usang,
Co-founder & General Manager
With over 30 years experience in retail marketing with Petronas, Malaysia's national oil & gas company, John brings corporate structure, finance and management experience. John is a Kenyah from Long San, Baram (Sarawak, Borneo).
Adrian Jo Milang,
Community Manager
At 23 years old, Adrian is one of the most celebrated (and youngest!) Parap and Takna' practitioner, an oral tradition of the Kayan communities. He also undertakes roles as assistant researcher in areas of anthropology with Sarawak Musuem and independent researchers. As a Community Manager, Adrian engages with cultural practitioners from various Borneo indigenous communities, and helps them see the magic in their practice. Adrian is a Kayan from Tubau (Sarawak, Borneo).
Jessica Burai Markus,
Administrative Manager
Jessica is a recent graduate of hospitality and tourism. She was also a student in Sekolah Seni Sarawak (Sarawak Arts School) and was active in the performing arts, practicing traditional dance and contemporary music. She is a Berawan-Kayan.
Muhaimin Fudzail,
Business Development Intern
Muhaimin (Min) is a Finance & Marketing major at Curtin University, Miri campus. It’s his second year of study and first year of living in Miri, Sarawak. Born in Selangor and was raised in Dubai for 16 years of his life. Min juggles university and internship at The Tuyang Initiative. Has a strange addiction watching newscast bloopers.
Darien Christopher
Web Development Intern
Darien is a fresh graduate from University Technology Malaysia major in software engineer. He have experience building websites and front-end mobile apps. Friendly and easy going person. He have lot of interest in learning about new things that catches his mind.
Ahmad Hafizuddin Abdullah
Strategic Communication Intern
Din is an Economics and Business Finance graduate from Brunel University London. With the passion to learn as much as he can, Din puts himself into various roles of creating positive and impactful experiences. Din assists with our web design and manage projects to maximize value for our communication strategy. Originally from Penang, he admires trying new cuisines wherever he lands.
Muhammad Anwar
Business Development Intern
A Curtin University student currently majoring in Finance and Management. As the classes are virtual, Anwar is making the best out his time to learn more about Sarawakian cultures while gaining experience in business development. He is responsible for leading a virtual theatre production and strategic promotional planning. Though he was born in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar is a Melanau from Mukah. Has an obsession with golf.
Glen Pengiran
Creative Development Intern
Glen is a student of the arts and also a vivid filmmaker. He has worked with The Filmmakers Company in his crusade to learn about the many working parts of telling a good story through visual lenses. In the Tuyang team, he particularly infuses valuable experiences into our projects such as the upcoming virtual stage-performance of Kelunan. Being a Lun Bawang from Ba'Kelalan, Lawas, he continuously grasps from his mentors to convey the stories of Sarawakian Indigenous cultures. Eloquent to coffee, he would never reject a cup of it.
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07
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from you!
Business Hours
10am - 6pm Monday to Friday
Where to find us
A-2-29 - A-2-30 - A-2-31A and A-2-31B 2nd Floor Miri Times Square @ Marina Parkcity, 98000 Miri, Sarawak