Rolly Wuisan: Indigenous Wisdom in Environmental Action
Within global environmental narratives often constructed from a distance, the life of Rolly Wuisan shows that ecological responsibility is carried through daily labour, ancestral knowledge,…
KALFEIN MAIKEL WUISAN
Writing
Writing on film, culture, language, memory, community, and everyday life.
Smartphone Movement: A Manifesto on Modern Technology from the Indigenous Peoples
At night in several Minahasa villages, smartphone screens glow between wooden houses, gardens, small fires, and dark mountain landscapes. Young people sit together editing…
Indigenous Imaginarium: Connecting Indigenous Filmmakers to Hollywood
February 28 – March 7, 2023 | Los Angeles, USA Indigenous Imaginarium, facilitated by If Not Us Then Who (INUTW), is an initiative designed…
Celebrating Indigenous Voices at Festival Felem Orang Gunung
In the highlands of Minahasa, where villages stretch across a mountainous landscape and daily life remains closely tied to land, memory, and community, a…
Embracing Tradition: The Celebration of Kalaid Village
Only a few villages in Minahasa still carry out traditional village rituals. Some of these villages usually perform them during the village anniversary. Baator…
Kanonang: A Historical Overview of Fertility and Identity
“What’s in a name?”This expression by William Shakespeare, in one sense, is not suitable to be used in understanding names, especially in Minahasa. Because…
The Role of Indigenous Literature in Identity and Territory
“Indigenous literature is used by Indigenous communities, among other things, as an effort to determine and claim their customary territories. Indigenous literature contains stories…
Reviving Maengket: A Cultural Journey in Karimbow Talikuran
(A reflection on the re-emergence of Maengket Karimbow) In recent years, awareness of village customs and cultural traditions in Minahasa has begun to rise…
Nona’s Guide to Using Marigolds for Pest Control
“Have the flowers bloomed? That helps keep the pests away,” said Nona Sorongan. I had just returned from the garden when she asked that…
Caring for Nature: Lessons from Ruma’mus Ung Gio
Water Before Words In Ruma’mus Ung Gio, the story does not begin with a person. It begins with water. In the highlands of Minahasa,…
Indigenous Youths Revive Farming in Ampreng
Indra Congregations Piri is an Indigenous youth from the village of Ampreng. He spends his days cultivating the fields alongside his parents. As the…
The Resilient Farmers of Ampreng: Om John Piri’s Harvest Story
“The name of this farm is Aminyobi. It means ‘the farm at the lower part’ of the village,” explained Om Piri. In the village…
Reviving Indigenous Economy: The KUMA Initiative
A story about land, food sovereignty, and the efforts of Indigenous youth to revive the community economy in Minahasa. The Village as a Source…
Kalelon and Maka’aruyen: Voices of Minahasa’s Tradition
“The Closer to the Mountains, the Quieter; The Closer to the Sea, the Louder” Today, many Tou Minahasa (Minahasan people) misunderstand and undervalue traditional…
KUMA Tawaang Profile
To understand the foundation of KUMA Tawaang, it is necessary to first recognize the broader economic reality of the Wuwuk Indigenous Community. The economy…
Tou Akel: A Legacy of Love for Nature
On the slopes of Mount Kawatak in Minahasa, time seems to move in rhythm with the swing of a hoe striking the earth. For…
Smartphone Movement: A Method of Decolonization by Indigenous Youth
The Smartphone Movement is a cultural movement initiated by the younger generation to safeguard their ancestral lands. This movement began in the villages of…
The Indigenous Women of Kelelondey
Oma Femmy Momongan (65) and Tanta Oli Pangalila (62) are engrossed in their work, maneuvering their shovels to dig the earth in the Kelelondey…
The Digital Media Movement from Kelelondey
Her nickname is Quin. It sounds almost like Harley Quinn, the villain from the DC Comics universe. However, this Quin is a full 360…
Benefits of Growing Local Plants During the Pandemic
Diplazium esculentum is the Latin name of Pakis/Paku Sayur (vegetable fern). In Minahasa it is commonly called sayor paku. This type of fern plant…
Celebrating Indigenous Voices: ‘Sei Pe’, Sa Rai’ca Cita’
“Sei Pe’, Sa Rai’ca Cita” I sang it on the stage of the largest Indigenous peoples festival this year. “ if not us, then…
20 Years of Indigenous Struggle: Celebrating AMAN & HIMAS 2019
“Long live Indigenous Peoples! Long live!Indigenous Peoples, Rise United! Sovereign!Rise United! Independent!Rise United! Dignified!” The Secretary General of the Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN),…
Berti Sumaraw: The Legacy of Maka’aruyen in Raringis
Berti Sumaraw is very well known in his village, Raringis, Langowan. He is not known because he ran as a legislative candidate in the…