Navigating Challenges in Indigenous Knowledge Preservation through Co-Design in Sarawak, Malaysia

Indigenous knowledge (IK) stands as an integral part of intangible cultural heritage, facing the impending threat of extinction amidst the dynamic shifts in the natural and social environment. This paper explores the holistic nature of knowledge, emphasizing its interconnection with humans and nature. Sarawak, as the largest state in Malaysia, with its diverse ethnic groups, serves as a rich repository of indigenous knowledge, yet grapples with challenges such as deforestation, lifestyle changes, and documentation issues. This study also highlighted how participatory design helps bridge the digital divide in projects involving indigenous communities such as the Iban, Kelabit, and Penan. It explores initiatives to co-design digital technologies to preserve indigenous knowledge. The research motivation stems from the need to extend participatory design practice to the Orang Ulu community, focusing on Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge (IMK). The paper then further delves into the current progress of the research, future plans, and key research questions. Two challenges in this research involve selecting appropriate technology for the IMK system and strategically implementing co-design to ensure its enriching and successful outcomes.