Sarah Lois Dorai, a Kuala Lumpur-based Kelabit film director, recently led a team of book authors and illustrators to publish dual-language children’s books to introduce the Kelabit language in an effort to revive and spread the dying language.
Keeping Kelabit language alive through books
Language is more than just a tool for communication. It is also a symbol of the respective speakers’ cultural roots. Thus, when a culture’s language is lost, a part of its identity is forgotten. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than half of the world’s 6,000 languages will be extinct by the end of the century if nothing is done to preserve them.
In Sarawak, the Kelabit language is gradually fading as a result of inter-racial marriage and cultural assimilation. Recognising this, UNESCO took on the language in 2012 as part of its ‘Endangered Languages’ programme.
Numerous efforts have been made over the years to preserve and promote the language. Alena Murang, a local cultural singer, has been spreading the language through her songs.
Meanwhile, the late Lucy Bulan, through her various initiatives, had championed the revival of the Kelabit language. The former principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bario was a prominent figure in the Kelabit community, having organised projects such as the Kelabit Play School Project (Tawa’ Raut), the E-Bario ICT project, language promotion through tourism (The Labang Longhouse Homestay), and cultural festivals such as the Bario Highlands Food Festival, among others.
To preserve and promote
Following in the footsteps of her dear aunt Lucy, Sarah Lois Dorai led a team to publish three children’s books in the Kelabit language. Sarah wanted to pass on a tangible piece of Kelabit culture to the children through this project, which she worked on with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP).
“Over the years, incredible work has been done to preserve and revive Kelabit music, oral history, and other Sarawakian art forms passed down from our elders, the keepers of the past. Children are the keepers of our future. They therefore hold the key to preserving the strong values of family, community, culture, and heritage for the years ahead.”
The Creative Director and Publisher had taken six months to complete the project, which had been launched in December. There are 50 sets in various libraries throughout Sarawak, out of 500 copies printed. Meanwhile, Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring), has shown his support by sponsoring 100 sets to be donated to SMK Bario, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bario, Perpustakaan Majlis Daerah Bario, SK Pa’ Dalih, SK Long Banga, SK Long Seridan, SK Long Lellang, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, and the Sarawak State Library.
About the children’s books
Published in both Kelabit and English — Sarah added that the book does more than just help Kelabit children learn and preserve their language. Anyone who is interested can pick up the book and learn as well.
“It is important to preserve our language. I don’t just mean for Kelabits, but for all cultures. If we do not work to preserve our languages, we risk losing not only our culture, but also our identity.”
The books were co-written by native Kelabit speakers David Lian Labang and Lillian Lipang Bulan. Sarah, who was born and raised in the Bario Highlands, revealed that the two authors were significant factors because the material had to come from a Kelabit.
The books:
- Anun Inih Lem Bubuh Tepu’? (What Is Inside Grandpa’s Fishtrap?), by David Lian Labang
- Doo’ Ribed Kijan! (Kijan Is Beautiful!), by Lillian Lipang Bulan & David Lian Labang
- Inih Lun Ruyung Kudih! (This Is My Family!), Sarah Lois Dorai & Lillian Lipang Bulan
As the first Kelabit-English children’s books to be published, the books serve as children’s primers, introducing readers to beginner-level Kelabit vocabulary. ‘Anun Inih Lem Bubuh Tepu?’ teaches children about numbers; ‘Doo’ Ribed Kijan! teaches them about Kelabit words for facial features; and ‘Inih Lun Ruyung Kudih!’ teaches them about words used to address immediate family members.
Sarah hopes that the illustration, which was created by Sandra Kung, Felicia Bateman, and Trisha Goh, will show distinctive cultural imagery that will help readers learn more than just the language.
“These books can also provide a space for parents and grandparents to engage with their children about their Sarawakian roots.”
Hope for further revitalisation
Sarah, who is also a film director for a Kuala Lumpur-based production house called Project Room, wants to publish a full-fledged collection of 30 books in order to continue the preservation of the Kelabit language.
“For the time being, we will focus on the similar vein of Kelabit children’s books. We may publish a more advanced level Kelabit language book collection in the future.”
Sarah hopes that this project will spark an interest in other indigenous communities to write their own stories in order to preserve their heritage and culture.
“Through my publishing company Sceptre Seven Press, which was co-founded by my husband and creative partner Fabian Joseph, we want to support other indigenous writers and artists by providing end-to-end publishing services.”
Those interested in purchasing the books can do so online through the publisher’s social media Instagram account @sceptresevenpress. The public can also contact Sarah via email at sceptresevenpress@gmail.com.
