ruang
ruang by Tuyang is a program dedicated to empowering indigenous cultural practitioners by fostering their entrepreneurial potential.
This year, it provides 18 cultural practitioners from across Sarawak in places such as Ba’kelalan, Baram, Belaga, Kapit, Dalat and Mukah with industry-relevant skillsets through training, market access and valuable networking opportunities.
Through the program, ultimately ruang aims to promote sustainable growth for these practitioners and their communities.
ruang translates to space in the Bahasa Malaysia language.
It is supported by federal agency TERAJU and state agency Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
Bayu Kusun Tana’
Bayu Kusun Tana’ (Wind on Earth) by Mathew Ngau Jau with Lan E Tuyang was a main performer for the mainstage of Rainforest World Music Festival 2025.
Produced by Tuyang Initiative and led by Mathew Ngau Jau and fellow elders, with music arrangement by Ta’Dan, this is the first time cultural practitioners from a multitude of Orang Ulu communities (Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Saban) are coming together to showcase rarely heard melodies, songs and instruments as part of a main stage show.
Developed over the course of 8 months, with the oldest practitioner being 78 years of age and the youngest being 21, the piece showcases a myriad of rare instruments and melodies including the Atui, a traditional log drum as well as the Sape’ Sinui by the Penan community.
