How does the book highlight the resilience of Kelabit values amidst change?

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The book illustrates the resilience of Kelabit values by demonstrating how they provide a cultural framework for adaptation while preserving community identity.

The book, Border History of a Borneo Longhouse, highlights the resilience of Kelabit values amidst change by showcasing how these enduring principles offer a cultural structure that enables the Kelabit people to redefine and adapt to new circumstances while maintaining their distinct community identity. This is exemplified through the historical narratives collected from Long Peluan, a village in the Kelabit Highlands. The research, which began in 2010 when village headman Malian Tepun provided recordings of his people's history, reveals stories that celebrate pioneering heroes. These heroes led their community through periods of warfare and migration, engaged with the Brooke state to initiate peace-making processes, and sought out Christian missionaries.
Historical Narratives of Adaptation

The historical accounts documented in the book focus on key figures and events that shaped the Kelabit community. Malian Tepun's narration, comprising three distinct historical narratives, offers insights into what constitutes a good life according to Kelabit traditions. These stories recount the exploits of individuals who navigated significant societal shifts, including those who led through conflict and displacement, demonstrating an inherent capacity for resilience and strategic adaptation within the community's value system.
The Role of Values in Identity Preservation

The book posits that these historical narratives are not merely records of the past but also serve as a testament to the enduring strength of Kelabit values. These values act as a cultural compass, guiding the community's response to transformative change. By providing a stable framework, these values allow the Kelabit to re-evaluate and adjust their practices and beliefs in light of new influences, such as interactions with external governance like the Brooke state and the introduction of Christianity, without losing their fundamental sense of self as a collective.
Relevance to Broader Studies

The work is situated within several academic fields, indicating its significance beyond a singular community history. Its relevance extends to Austronesian studies, Southeast Asian history, oral history, the anthropology of value, sociality and ethnic identity, Christian conversion, and critical discussions surrounding borderlands, decolonisation, and indigeneity. This broad applicability underscores how the specific case of the Kelabit people's value resilience offers insights applicable to understanding similar dynamics in other cultural contexts.
A Microhistory of Transnational Peoples

The book's focus on the Kelabit and their village of Long Peluan contributes to a deeper understanding of the history of various transnational peoples in Borneo. Beyond the Kelabit, the research touches upon the histories of communities such as the Sa’ban, Kenyah, Ngurek, Penan, and Lun Dayeh. By presenting this microhistory, the work fills a gap often overlooked in broader national historical narratives, highlighting the intricate and diverse experiences that constitute the fabric of Malaysian history.

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How does the book highlight the resilience of Kelabit values amidst change?

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