2. Durian and the Arrival of the First Peoples

Is durian really that controversial? Pop culture will have you believe that durian is equal parts maligned and celebrated. But there's so much more to the King of Fruits than its smell.

We take a look at durian and it's connection to the ancient lands of Malaysia. Along the way, we meet a community that many Malaysians don't even know exist - the indigenous Orang Asli peoples.

We hear from Emily Wong of Native Discovery (@discovernative) about the many different Orang Asli cultures of the Malay peninsula and what it means to be a good ally. And community leader Ronnie Bahari (@ronnie.ronjohn.bahari) shares his efforts to revitalise his own culture, which ironically involves old colonial textbooks.

References and Resources

Native Discovery

Persatuan Kebudayaan Dan Kesenian Orang Asal Perak

Gerimis Art

Pagan Races of the Malay Peninsula (1906), W.W. Skeat and C.O. Blagden

Credits

Hosted by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Produced by Dr Noby Leong and Philip Gibson

Sound Design by Jack Barr

Satay? Okay! is produced by Kopi Productions Limited