Getting Connected: Indigeneity, Information, and Communications Technology Use and Emerging Media Practices in Sarawak

Abstract:For Indigenous communities, cultural globalization can be “an ambiguous paradox.” This applies particularly to information and communication technologies, or ICTs. Critics argue that globalization appears as a homogenizing force as Indigenous culture is commodified, often without granting Indigenous people the rights and rewards of author- or ownership. On the other hand, Indigenous peoples use ICTs as a means for visual documentation, cultural continuity, and political participation. In this article, we explore uses of ICTs by Indigenous groups in Sarawak, focusing on conservation of Indigenous languages, visual representation of cultural heritage, and civic participation.