tuyang

/too-yahng/

noun

buddy, a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection

word origin: kenyah

Group of ten people gathered indoors, sitting and standing near a window with curtains. A woman is playing a wooden instrument, and everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.

Get to know us

The Tuyang Initiative is a cultural agency based in Sarawak, Borneo, dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities to share their art, stories, and heritage with the world — on their own terms. By connecting cultural custodians with modern opportunities, we help preserve and celebrate Indigenous traditions while creating meaningful, sustainable livelihoods for generations to come.

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Uphold & Preserve

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Promote Authentic Representation

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Ensure Continuity

* Uphold & Preserve * Promote Authentic Representation * Ensure Continuity

Our Solutions

Two musicians playing traditional stringed instruments on stage at night, with dark background and warm lighting.

Product Development

We design and deliver unique cultural projects that showcase the stories, art, music and traditions of Indigenous communities in Borneo and beyond. From traditional music performances and storytelling sessions to contemporary art collaborations, each project is rooted in respect and authenticity, while adapting to new audiences and platforms.

A woman receives a tattoo of a traditional musical instrument while a man assists and offers guidance. They are sitting on a grey sofa with drinks and a phone on a white table in front of them.

Capacity Building

We believe in creating genuine, sustainable opportunities for Indigenous knowledge bearers, elders, youth and creatives. Through workshops, mentorships, and community-led training, we equip Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners with the skills, resources and networks they need to grow and succeed — while staying true to their cultural identities.

A woman wearing a traditional headband and black apron with a red and gold trim, holding a large black and white feathered fan, smiling.

Cultural Exchange & Impact

We collaborate with like-minded partners — from festivals and cultural institutions to brands and researchers — to co-create respectful cultural experiences and exchanges. Our partnerships are built on trust, mutual benefit, and the shared goal of raising awareness, respect and support for Indigenous communities.

Cultural guardians

that have been our staunchest allies.

An elderly man wearing a woven hat and glasses, singing into a microphone with closed eyes, dressed in a patterned shirt during a performance.
A person with traditional attire playing a wooden stringed instrument on stage, with a microphone nearby.
A person wearing a traditional headband is holding and displaying a large, black and white bird with long feathers, while smiling and looking at the camera.
Young person dressed in traditional indigenous warrior costume, wearing a feathered headdress and ornate clothing with intricate patterns, holding a shield and a stick.
Woman with glasses smiling, holding a large cloth with intricate red and white geometric patterns, displayed in a room with colorful fabrics and bags in the background.
A man with curly dark hair, glasses, and a beard looking to the side indoors.

Our latest feature

Clients & partners

Logo with the text 'THINK NEW' and a fern branch with the words 'New Zealand Education Management ki te Ao' underneath.
Silhouette of a woman sitting on a stack of books while reading, with a large plant beside her.
The British Council logo featuring four dark purple circles arranged in a square pattern with the words 'British Council' in dark purple text to the right.
Illustration of four happy people around a logo with the word 'UNITI' and the phrase 'Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak' underneath, symbolizing unity and cultural diversity in Sarawak.
The Coat of Arms of Malaysia featuring two tigers, a shield with various symbols, a crescent moon and a 14-pointed star, and a yellow banner with the bilingual motto 'Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu'.
Logo for TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub with a circular emblem and text
Ceedmrl logo with blue and yellow abstract shape and text 'ceedmrl' in blue
Maxxis logo with stylized green tire tread above the word 'maxxis' in navy blue lowercase letters
Logo of Sarawak Tourism Board featuring the letters 'STB' with decorative patterns.
The logo of the California State Lottery, featuring the words 'CALIFORNIA LOTTERY' with two red dots above the 'A's and a red banner below reading 'INTRODUCING GOLDEN 1'.
Logo for National Parks with a green leaf and the slogan 'Let's make Singapore our garden'.
The logo of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection featuring a stylized palm tree.
Logo of SDEG with a spherical globe design made of orange and blue checkered squares and the text 'SDEG Digitalising Sarawak'.
Logo of the political party Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD) featuring stylized red and blue letters with the party's slogan in Spanish.
Logo for CENDANA Cultural Economy Development Agency featuring a stylized, multicolored, geometric butterfly or moth with text below.
Red and black text logo for Alitasia with stylized lettering.
Logo of the Australian Government, including a black crest with animals and a shield, and the text 'Australia Council for the Arts' next to a red abstract figure.
Logo for The Actors Studio, featuring a stylized line drawing of a face with glasses and lips, the text 'The Actors Studio since 1989'.

Contact Us

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