Sustainability of Orang Ulu's material culture in the context of change

Faridah, Sahari (2016) Sustainability of Orang Ulu's material culture in the context of change. PhD thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS).

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Abstract

The district of Belaga has experienced a rapid alteration in its main resource base due to extensive timber extraction, land clearing for oil palm plantations, and inundation of river valleys since the early 1980s.Undoubtedly, these various manifestations of development had depleted forest resources. The physical and economic transformation of the Belaga district is also changing the livelihood and values of the Orang Ulu communities. Besides this, urbanism is spreading among the resettled communities in the new township of Sungai Asap. Using a qualitative approach, this ethnographic study begins with by documenting a range of material culture, from the past and present, of the four groups of Orang Ulu, which are Kayan, Kenyah, Bhukat and Penan. In order to analyze the a aforementioned document, the Fleming’s model (1974) and behavioural approach by Schiffer and Skibo (2010) which focus on design, technological differences of materials, manufacturing processes and methods, use of tools, roles and functions are employed. The result of the study shows that Orang Ulu choose the material objects they use, make and possess by considering various aspects: social and economic activities, needs and necessities; and global trend and taste to determine their choices. Furthermore, the changing activities, needs and necessities have altered the essential features, intended roles and functions, performance characteristics weightings of traditional material objects and new objects created to perform new functions. Foreign technologies are acquired, used and modified by the Orang Ulu to facilitate various tasks, as well as fulfil extended function. Finally, this study provides the means to understand how the Orang Ulu strategize in adapting and negotiating available resources, cultural values, new emergence of socio-economic activities and globalization and manifesting them in their material culture

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