Less than a year after RYTHM Foundation concluded an indigenous Orang Asli cultural heritage revival initiative in Malaysia with a Jakun community in Johor, its most meaningful outcomes are emerging through the revival of traditional knowledge. The initiative has shown how cultural revival strengthens identity and confidence across generations.
Implemented in collaboration with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Panjang, Muar, the project evolved to focus more deeply on restoring cultural practices that had faded from the villagers’ everyday life.
Reawakening Kerchang: From Story to Practice
One of the project’s most significant achievements has been the reintroduction of Kerchang, a traditional Orang Asli puzzle game made from bamboo, string, and a small wooden peg. Once a familiar part of community life, Kerchang had largely disappeared, and many villagers were initially unaware of its existence.
“Among the workshops our team has conducted is one on Kerchang. We reintroduced it to reconnect the villagers with this part of their heritage.” — Dr Mohamad Suhaizi Suhaimi, IIUM Project Lead
Through weekly visits, Dr Suhaizi and his team guided children and young adults in learning how to identify different types of Kerchang, understand how the game is played, and create the instruments.
What began as guided demonstrations evolved into regular hands-on learning. Over time, children developed the ability to solve Kerchang puzzles independently, recognising variations in design and technique.
To date, 19 villagers—including young adults and children—are now able to play Kerchang and identify different types, marking a significant shift from the project’s early stages. For these children, Kerchang is no longer a story from the past but a living practice they can play, share, and pass on.
Beyond learning the game, participants were taught how to construct Kerchang using natural materials. This process reinforced problem-solving skills while deepening understanding of traditional craftsmanship and resource use—key elements of indigenous knowledge transmission.
Kerchang Pasung and Community Beliefs Around Justice
Among the reintroduced variations was Kerchang Pasung, a version traditionally associated with truth, accountability, and fairness.
Ten-year-old Norshikin Tumis explains how it is played:
“The game is played by trying to free the string in three steps. We use this game to determine whether someone is telling the truth. If the person cannot solve it, they are considered guilty.”
Beyond play, Kerchang Pasung serves as a quiet reminder of shared values within the community—reinforcing moral lessons through traditional forms rather than formal instruction.
Learning and Sharing the Sewang Dance
The project also supported the revival of Sewang, a traditional Orang Asli dance previously unfamiliar to the community.
To ensure accuracy and respect for tradition, Dr Suhaizi and his team travelled to a different Orang Asli village to learn the dance. They subsequently conducted structured knowledge-transfer sessions with children in Bukit Panjang.
Through these sessions, six children learned the Sewang dance, gaining exposure to its cultural meaning, rhythm, and communal significance. The experience helped reconnect younger generations with an important expressive tradition rooted in Orang Asli identity.
Building Confidence Through Communication and Knowledge Transfer
Alongside cultural activities, the programme emphasised communication and confidence-building. These workshops helped participants express themselves more openly within the community and when engaging with visitors, students, and external partners.
“We have conducted communication workshops to help community members feel more confident engaging with others,” explains Dr Suhaizi. “These sessions focused on reducing shyness and building confidence, both within the village and beyond.”
Strengthening these skills supports long-term community agency—by ensuring that cultural knowledge is shared on the community’s own terms.
Foundations for Cultural Preservation and Future Livelihoods
While the village has strong potential for ecotourism due to its forested surroundings and cultural heritage, the project’s most tangible outcomes lie in heritage revival and youth education.
By prioritising cultural knowledge first—through Kerchang, Sewang, and communication skills—the community is better positioned to explore future opportunities, including cultural tourism, at a pace and on a scale they define for themselves.
Beyond the Village: Cultural Identity, Dignity, and Long-term Impact
The project’s impact extends beyond economic considerations. At its core, it has strengthened cultural identity, dignity, and intergenerational understanding within the Orang Asli Jakun community.
Dr Suhaizi hopes these efforts will also foster greater awareness among other Malaysians.
“I hope the project helps other Malaysians better appreciate the Orang Asli so that we can live together with greater understanding and unity.”
As the programme’s legacy continues, the experiences emerging from Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Panjang—of children rediscovering tradition and adults guiding cultural knowledge—stand as a compelling example of the revival of Orang Asli cultural heritage in Malaysia, rooted in respect, learning, and community-led development.
