Ethnobiological Reseach Programme

Sarawak has more than 40 ethnic groups which can be broadly categorized into the following groups: Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Malay. Each of these ethnic groups has inherited a rich array of traditional knowledge from their ancestors, much of which has not been documented.  This knowledge includes centuries of practice on how to grow food and survive in their environment. Such utilization and management of natural resources by indigenous people, perfected over a period of time is known as traditional knowledge.

While many elders within these communities still possess traditional knowledge, there is a growing concern over its gradual loss of knowledge due to factors such as shifting lifestyles and priorities, increased access to modern amenities, and reduced reliance on natural resources. As a result, it has become increasingly important for Traditional Knowledge to be documented and retained by the respective indigenous communities as heritage.

With the rush for natural product development and bioprospecting from the world’s natural resources, it has become even more important to document Traditional Knowledge to ensure that the indigenous communities who have practised such knowledge over the centuries are duly acknowledged should their knowledge be used in the development of natural products or bioprospecting.

The main objective of the Traditional Knowledge Documentation Programme carried out by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre is to facilitate the local indigenous communities in the State in preserving their Traditional Knowledge through proper recording or documenting techniques.  Such efforts are carried out through capacity-building workshops that provide the local communities with necessary skills such as documentation techniques, propagation, and management of useful indigenous plants.

The project also encourages local indigenous communities to cultivate useful indigenous plants for their own uses, as landscapes for their surroundings, and for awareness and appreciation purposes.