Featured Post

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

INDIGENOUS FOOD PLANT KNOWLEDGE IN MALAYSIA: CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT,Talk by Dr. Ulrich Teucher

Invitation to IBEC' Talk on:
INDIGENOUS FOOD PLANT KNOWLEDGE IN MALAYSIA: CHANGE AND CONTINUITY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

  • Date : 1 August 2013 Venue : TR4/ Unimas
  • Time : 10 A.M.
  • Speaker : Dr. Ulrich Teucher, Program for Culture and Human Development Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

All are welcome

Abstract:

Indigenous Food Plant knowledge in Malaysia: Change and Continuity in Human Development

Presentation
Dr. Ulrich Teucher, Program for Culture and Human Development, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Indigenous peoples in Malaysia and elsewhere have seen dramatic changes in very short time, often upending the continuities of their cultural traditions. Arguably, food knowledge is one of our central cultural identifications (Balick 1996). However, as Malaysia has been becoming a newly industrializing country, its indigenous peoples have been losing, often along with their ancestral lands, their knowledge of food plants and the associated cultural knowledge, social and gendered practices, and sacred rituals. Yet, responses are mixed: while many argue for the preservation of traditional knowledge in cultural centres and educational programs, others view the changes as a regrettable but perhaps inevitable part of joining mainstream society. Now, however, the preservation of local, indigenous food knowledge has become crucial as the world is facing a global food crisis, due to the exponential growth of the world population, the loss of bio- and food diversity, and traditional food knowledge. Understanding the challenges and facilitators in maintaining traditional food knowledge can help to better negotiate change and continuity in the course of human development and achieve food security. This research is art of a collaborative pilot project, currently in progress in Bau District, Sarawak.

References
Andaya, B. W., & Andaya, L. Y. (2001). A History of Malaysia. Houndmills, UK: Palgrave.

Balick, M. (1996). Plants, People, and Culture: The science of ethnobotany. Gordonsville, VA: W. H. Freeman & Co.

Christensen, H. 2002.  Ethnobotany of the Iban and Kelabit. A joint publication of Department of Sarawak, Malaysia, NEPCon Denmark, and University of Aarhaus, Denmark.  381pp.

Desmarais, A. (2007). La Via Campesina: Globalization and the power of peasants. Black Point, NS: Fernwood Publishing.

Gombay, N. (2010). Making a living: Place, food, and economy in an Inuit community. Saskatoon, SK: Purich Publishing Limited.

Guardian, The (11 March 2008). Letters: Too many people, not enough food. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/11/food/print (accessed 20 July 2011).

Dr. Ulrich Teucher is an associate professor in the Program for Culture and Human Development, Department of Psychology, at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. His research interests, funded by CFI, SHRF, and SSHRC, ground in the representations and meanings of human crises, whether as part of serious illness, or transitions in cultural identity, among Canadian indigenous peoples and in Malaysia’s indigenous food plant knowledge. Dr. Teucher is currently collaborating with Dr. Alexander ak Sayok, IBEC, UNIMAS on a pilot project to document transitions in local indigenous food plant knowledges.

Click on article to enlarge




Friday, July 19, 2013

"Save Piasau Oriental Pied Hornbill" the new nestlings /Copyright Musa Musbah



Bringing clay into the nest I can understand. But bringing this network stuff look like a piece of insect nest network.

Faridah closing holes was not considering that they have to eat oilpalm kernel.


Monday, July 15, 2013

Make a date with Santubong Nature Festival Nov 9 & 10/ 2013


 Dear all,  
The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch (MNSKB) is pleased to announce that it will be organising the inaugural Santubong Nature Festival this November.

Scheduled to be held at Permai Rainforest Resort in Santubong on 9th and 10th November, the event is opened to MNS members and the public. Schools in Kuching and Santubong as well as local community living in Santubong are also invited to take part in the festival.

The festival is co-organised with Permai Rainforest Resort and supported by Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology, Sarawak Museum Deparmtent, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Photo Art Society, Friends of Sarawak Museums, Sarawak Heritage Society and all chapters of Hash House Harriers in Kuching.

The objectives of Santubong Nature Festival are:
To raise public awareness of the priceless natural and historical – local and global - heritage value of the Santubong Peninsula;
To advocate for a holistic and integrated approach to development and management of the area  safeguarding its unique landscape, biodiversity and historical assets;
To showcase the tourism and recreational potential of the natural and cultural values of the Santubong Peninsula; and
To stimulate reflection on responsible and sustainable further management of the peninsula and its surroundings.

Interesting activities highlighting Santubong peninsula’s natural, historical and cultural heritage such as multi-sport treasure hunt, heritage & heritage walks, talks and tree planting will be held at Permai Rainforest Resort during the festival.

Lead up activities to Santubong Nature Festival such as photography contest, boat trips, talks and ‘Secret Rooms’ tour will be held in Kuching and Santubong peninsula as well between now and November. So watch out for our Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/SantubongNatureFestival or http://santubongnaturefestival.blogspot.com/

In conjunction with the festival, MNSKB and Sarawak Photo Art Society are organising the Santubong Peninsula Landscape Photography Competition that runs from now to 31st August 2013

This photography is open to the public and submission period is from 1st September 2013 to 7th September 2013. Entry will close on the 7th September 2013, 12:00 noonFor registration, full rules and regulations, please visit the blog and Facebook page.

MNSKB, as a local environmental NGO, is very concerned with the overall development and well-being of Santubong peninsula. It recognises the need to develop the area but that development should be well-planned so that development would not degrade the iconic mountain.

Land clearing for housing, tall buildings and a proposed cable car to the peak of the mountain could alter the landscape and scar Santubong’s aesthetic visual value if not properly planed. Development taking place without sensitivity to historical and archaeological considerations would also produce many irreversible problems.

It is hoped that the Santubong Nature Festival will help to address these through greater public awareness and eventually advocate for a holistic, sustainable and integrated approach to development and management of the area. So, make a date with us.

For more information, visit the festival’s Facebook page or blog. 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Click on articles to enlarge



Talk by Alan Pearson (photos : peter lai and Bing)

12th July, 2013, talk by Alan Pearson, a British Birder and Illustrator of "a field guide to the birds of peninsula malaysia and singapore". The talk covered how a field guide comes together and a little on bird illustration in general. He also introduce birdwatching in England and suggest how to plan a birding trip there.















Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Pencinta Alam Newsletter Jul 2013


Dear Members,

Please be informed that the Jul 2013 newsletter is out.  You can download a copy from http://www.mns.my/file_dir/77587439251d0f9048b4f1.pdf

Contents:
·         Leptospirosis: What you need to know when going outdoors
·         World Tapir Day at Taman Negara
·         Growing our membership: survey results and workshop
·         Green Living – Natural Disinfectants and Deodorisers
·         MNS Kuching Branch has new blog & facebook pages
·         Eco Kids – Green Living Zoo Volunteer Programme & Enrichment Workshop
·         July 2013 Calendar of Activities
·         Would you like to escape from the crowd?  If yes, join the hornbill volunteer programme
·         Photography competition, final call for submission on “Landscape” by 30th September 2013
·         MNS National AGM 2013 & AGM Packages (http://www.mns.my/article.php?aid=2243&sc=1).
·         Branch Annual General Meetings 2013 (http://www.mns.my/article.php?aid=2246)
Note: The survey reports can be downloaded from MNS website at www.mns.my.  You will need to log in with a generic username and password at the “Member Login” section on the front page. (username: mns2013, password: tapir2013)
Regards,
Leong Wee Chin
Membership Officer
Malaysian Nature Society
Tel: 03-22879422
Fax: 03-22878773

Thursday, July 4, 2013

MNS public talk featuring British birder Alan Pearson

The public are invited to a coming talk featuring a British birder Alan Pearson.

The talk, organised by the Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch, will take place at UCSI University Sarawak Campus on 12th July 2013 (Friday) at 7.30pm.


The talk will cover how a field guide comes together and a little on bird illustration in general. It will go on to introduce birdwatching in England and suggest how to plan a birding trip there.


Pearson is a teacher of biology and art who has been birdwatching for over 35 years and illustrating bird books and magazine articles for about 30, including the Field Guide for Peninsular Malaysia.

He has seven books published, mainly aimed at novice birders, however, the most recent is 'A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore', with Allen Jeyarajasingam, which comprehensively covers all the species known to have occured in that region.


Pearson  is currently teaching in England at an all-boys secondary school and working on a beginners bird identification app. He lives in south London with Anne, his Malaysian-born wife.


To confirm attendance for the talk, please email to mnskuching@gmail.com. Admission is free. 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

CALLING ALL SHUTTERBUGS - LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION.



The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch (MNSKB) is pleased to announce that it will be organising the inaugural Santubong Nature Festival this November.

Scheduled to be held at Permai Rainforest Resort in Santubong on 9th and 10th November, the event is opened to MNS members and the public.

The festival is co-organised with Permai Rainforest Resort and among others, supported by Sarawak Tourism Board, Ling Kok Wing Institute, Sarawak Photo Art Society, Friends of Sarawak Museums, Sarawak Heritage Society and all chapters of Hash House Harriers in Kuching.

The objectives of Santubong Nature Festival are:
To raise public awareness of the priceless natural and historical – local and global - heritage value of the Santubong Peninsula;
To advocate for a holistic and integrated approach to development and management of the area  safeguarding its unique landscape, biodiversity and historical assets;
To showcase the tourism and recreational potential of the natural and cultural values of the Santubong Peninsula; and
To stimulate reflection on responsible and sustainable further management of the peninsula and its surroundings.

In conjunction with the festival, MNSKB and Sarawak Photo Art Society are organising the Santubong Peninsula Landscape Photography Competition that runs from now to 31st August 2013. This photography contest is open to the public  and submission period is from 1st September 2013 to 7th September 2013. Entry will close on the 7th September 2013, 12:00 noon.

The coverage area of this competition will be any place after the Santubong Bridge, coming from Kuching direction.

The submission fee for Malaysian Nature Society members and SPAS members is RM20.00 for a set of 3 photos. The fee for non-members is RM30 for a set of 3 photos. Additional set will be charged RM5 for members and non-members. Photos will be judged individually on its own merit.

Each participant is allowed to submit maximum 2 sets. Every photo must have the entry form attached to its back, captioned in at least three (3) words (characters) and not more than twelve (12) words (characters). The caption can be in English, Bahasa Malaysia or Chinese.

A participant can only win one prize. Selected finalists’ photos will be uploaded to Malaysian Nature Society (Kuching Branch) Facebook page and the top 3 photos that get the most “Like” and “Share” stand to win a prize.

For more information on the rules and regulation, please refer to the competition’s rules and regulations.

All entries can be mailed or hand delivered to Vincent Wong (Tel: 013 802 0005) at
Master Car Accessories, Lot 418 Ground Floor, Wisma Ung Hwa Geok, Jalan Kulas
93400 Kuching.


For enquiry please call Geoffrey Lam 013 5898991.

Download form here: