Fluid Memories: A Counter-Archive of Indigenous Culture of the Sea Nomads (MY & ID)
In Southeast Asia, rapid economic growth is juxtaposed with frequent natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, posing a significant threat to the region's indigenous cultures. Despite the valuable water management solutions offered by Western nations, including the Netherlands, it's vital to recognise the dangers of applying Western-centric knowledge in local contexts. There is a growing awareness of the necessity to integrate Indigenous wisdom into climate change adaptation strategies.
The Sama Dilaut (also named as Bajau) have historically fostered a harmonious relationship with their environment, practising small-scale fishing methods with little impact on marine ecosystems. As great navigators and divers, they view the ocean as a sacred realm intertwined with ancestral spirits. However, despite their deep knowledge of the sea and rich cultural heritage, they face multifaceted challenges that endanger their traditional way of life, including dwindling fish stocks and social and political discrimination.
Goal & Approach
This project focuses on the injustice perpetuated by coastal development, often forcing them to abandon their ancestral lands, seas, and centuries-old lifestyles. Grounded in the belief that indigenous perspectives are essential for challenging the dominant narratives and revealing systemic inequalities in spatial development, this project employs a counter-archiving methodology to document their culture. It prioritises the perspectives of the Sea Nomads, aiming not only to preserve their culture but also to challenge prevailing power dynamics and advocate against the injustices imposed by the dominant structure. The artistic approach involves engaging the community in exploring their perspectives and cultural heritage. Through building a counter-archive, it serves as a means of investigation and activism, reclaiming lost lands and seas, and narratives often overlooked by mainstream discourse. The collected materials will be used to create artwork with Sea Nomads communities to empower them. The counter-archive and the artwork will be curated into an exhibition for outreach.
This collage brings together drawings by Sama Dilaut children and photographic fragments taken by a visitor—myself. As they drew, they guided me through their island: the palm trees, the school with its flag, the graveyard—and the ghosts they’re afraid of—and the stilthouses and boats they call home. Their stories unfolded visually, full of detail and emotion. In response, I layered fragments of my own photographs, recognizing the places they had drawn through my lens. This piece became a visual conversation between memory and observation of theirs and mine.
During fieldwork in the Riau Islands in Indonesia, I sketched, mapped, and wrote about Orang Laut lifeways, tracing seafaring routes, resource areas, and cultural practices.
