Many guests are often caught off guard with this unexpected gesture. But there are those who might have some prior knowledge, or may have a sense of what is coming,...
Read MoreCultural 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.
Since 2017, 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.
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
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, Demo's & Showcases
We pride ourselves in designing experiences that enable our cultural guardians to be at the forefront in interacting directly with audiences.
4
Performances
Our stage performances are designed to enthrall. Our goal is to give audiences an honest view into our people and culture – in a format that is familiar.
5
Co-developing products & Services
We constantly look at innovating in driving sustainability for our communities and cultures.
6
Representation & Consultation
We help our clients ensure that we, as indigenous people are represented fairly, either in communication or in aspects of commercialization.
04
Our Past Work
What our clients have to say
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Singapore Botanic Garden -
Sime Darby Arts Festival -
Rainforest Fringe Festival
The Singapore Botanic Gardens had the opportunity to work with the Tuyang Initiative earlier this year (Feb 2018- Jul 2018) as part of the recently opened new attraction of the Gardens, the Ethnobotany Garden.
Juvita Tatan Wan as the main coordinator for the organisation was responsive and helpful. After a quick explanation of the brief, she was able to quickly adapt the company’s offerings to suit our needs, which included both workshops during the opening week of the development, and hand-made artefacts that could be showcased in the garden. It was a joy working with her.
Both the workshops and the handcrafted artefacts from the team at the Tuyang Initiative were a great value-add to the development. There is clear intentional effort to raise awareness amongst the general public of indigenous knowledge; the artists engaged were familiar with their craft and authentic plant materials were used in creating the artefacts for the Gardens. 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.
We are satisfied with the professional work done for us at the Ethnobotany Garden.
Shawna Ng
Deputy Director, Singapore Botanic Gardens Development
National Parks Board (Singapore)
"When Juvita (co-founder) first knocked on our door, we were very certain at that time that we wanted to partner with Tuyang due to the content they have to offer, and we did not regret that decision. Especially for folks here in West Malaysia, this sort of cultural/arts programme is not something that we experience regularly; and indeed, the entire curation that happened during the festival finale was an eye opener to a lot of the festival-goers.
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. As any festival organiser will know, this eases the worries of the organiser, help alleviate potential miscommunications and at the same time, ensuring things planned are on track with the festival direction and commitment.
It was a real pleasure working with The Tuyang Initiative!"
Ian Chow and Evangeline Lim
Festival Directors
Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2018 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Joe Sidek,
Festival Director, Rainforest Fringe Festival (Sarawak, Malaysia)
As Seen On
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05
Store.
We understand your requirement and provide quality works.
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The Warrior Spirit
Sale!420.00RM400.00RM -
KELUNAN digital book
20.00RM
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The Warrior Spirit
Sale!420.00RM400.00RM -
KELUNAN digital book
20.00RM
05
Musings
Writings about everything from our folk lores, to our hopes and dreams.
Midweek Reflections #10: John Wan Usang
Inu denga kem Tuyang? (How are you doing my friends?) My name is John Wan Usang, the other co-founder of The Tuyang Initiative.
Tuesday Tales #14: Lejo
Long ago, when the Kayan people still resided in Apo Kayan, which was along the Batang Kayan river, a longhouse community had been suffering the loss of their livestock.
Tuesday Tales #13: End of Harvest (Part 3)
It marks the closure of a well celebrated, tedious and long paddy harvest of each year, as the saying goes all good things must come to an end. More often than not, Ngiling Bidai…
06
Our team
Join the team!
Email us at Intern@thetuyang.com
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 iol & gas company, John brings corporate structure, finance and management expereince. 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.
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.
Join the team!
Interested in working with us?
Send us a CV and Cover Letter at intern@thetuyang.com
Subscribe to Newsletter
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