Beyond Pigafetta: The Search for the Vaie People's Origins

The search for the origin of the Vaie people

Free Stories? Great! But Wait, There's More!

Hey there! Enjoying these free glimpses into Borneo’s incredible tribal stories?

Here’s the secret most outsiders don’t know: the most captivating tales are only shared by the tribes themselves. That’s where our amazing paid subscribers come in! Their support unlocks a treasure trove of exclusive content, straight from the source. You're talking deeper dives, untold stories, and a raw, authentic experience you won't find anywhere else.

Want a taste of the real deal? Subscribe and upgrade to paid subscription now.

---

Dr. Guangtian Ha, Assistant Professor of Religion at Haverford College, stands with Awang Morni at Jepak Muslim Cemetery in Bintulu, examining Awang Morni's ancestor's tombstone. The Jepak cemetery, along with others in the Bintulu area from Jepak to Pandan, contain a number of tombs belonging to Punan who converted to Islam.

We yearn to shed our past, like a snake molting its worn skin for a gleaming new one. But scars tell a story, a history etched in our being. Replacing them feels like erasing a part of ourselves, prompting justifications for the change.