Changing assumptions: A long-term strategy
Eris Johan | Orang Asli, Semai, Malaysian
I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a programme that I have learnt a lot from. It made me realise that in Malaysia, we have a lot of communities and they are all facing the same issues. We have lots of traditions, cultures, different lifestyles, and we have to accept them. Sometimes, discrimination or misunderstandings happen when we do not accept them. We tend to misunderstand, because we use our emotions to read what people are saying or asking. I have been offended when people assume that Orang Asli use black magic in their daily lives. Some assume that I carry a tangkal (amulet), that brings me luck. This makes me feel disappointed because I rely on my own ability instead of luck. But people make assumptions. There are those in my village who believe in animism, but we cannot assume this is true for all of them.
Enggang & Pipit is an experiment with a small group of people. I cannot say that it has effectively changed the fate of the community or the culture yet in one day or in one session. This has to be a long term thing. I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a good initiative because people have the space to talk about what they feel and have experienced.
Eris is one of Enggang & Pipit participants on 29 April 2023.
Changing assumptions: A long-term strategy
Eris Johan | Orang Asli, Semai, Malaysian
I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a programme that I have learnt a lot from. It made me realise that in Malaysia, we have a lot of communities and they are all facing the same issues. We have lots of traditions, cultures, different lifestyles, and we have to accept them. Sometimes, discrimination or misunderstandings happen when we do not accept them. We tend to misunderstand, because we use our emotions to read what people are saying or asking. I have been offended when people assume that Orang Asli use black magic in their daily lives. Some assume that I carry a tangkal (amulet), that brings me luck. This makes me feel disappointed because I rely on my own ability instead of luck. But people make assumptions. There are those in my village who believe in animism, but we cannot assume this is true for all of them.
Enggang & Pipit is an experiment with a small group of people. I cannot say that it has effectively changed the fate of the community or the culture yet in one day or in one session. This has to be a long term thing. I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a good initiative because people have the space to talk about what they feel and have experienced.
Eris is one of Enggang & Pipit participants on 29 April 2023.
Eris Johan | Orang Asli, Semai, Malaysian
I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a programme that I have learnt a lot from. It made me realise that in Malaysia, we have a lot of communities and they are all facing the same issues. We have lots of traditions, cultures, different lifestyles, and we have to accept them. Sometimes, discrimination or misunderstandings happen when we do not accept them. We tend to misunderstand, because we use our emotions to read what people are saying or asking. I have been offended when people assume that Orang Asli use black magic in their daily lives. Some assume that I carry a tangkal (amulet), that brings me luck. This makes me feel disappointed because I rely on my own ability instead of luck. But people make assumptions. There are those in my village who believe in animism, but we cannot assume this is true for all of them.
Enggang & Pipit is an experiment with a small group of people. I cannot say that it has effectively changed the fate of the community or the culture yet in one day or in one session. This has to be a long term thing. I can say that Enggang & Pipit is a good initiative because people have the space to talk about what they feel and have experienced.
Eris is one of Enggang & Pipit participants on 29 April 2023.