suddenly digital
Fifty years ago the first Penan settled in Long Lamai; today the village remains reachable only by dugout canoe. The indigenous used to live secluded, without electricity, road access, or telephones until, six years ago, researchers from the University of Malaysia brought the Internet to Long Lamai, catapulting the villagers into the digital era.
Since then two worlds collide: on the one hand, a nature-dependent, self-sufficient existence with its poisoned arrows and blowguns, the rhythm of nature, and ancient knowledge of the natural world. On the other hand: Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, email, pop culture, and growing consumption. While many of the indigenous elders observe this development with concern, the younger generation is busy reinventing its own culture. Since the village has become connected with the world, many are moving back home from the cities. Villagers now hunt with blowguns and mobile phones, welcome the first guests from the outside, use social media, and share their lives in the jungle with friends in the cities. And they combine these two contrasting sides most naturally: «The modern-day Penan needs both,» says 22-year-old Oteng Zuel, «tradition and modernity». It is an open-ended balancing act.
