Rojak #80: The Wheels of Change

The Fight to Preserve Rickshaws and Carriages, and other stories

Welcome to Rojak - a monthly curated collection of fascinating stories that I come across while compiling the regular Southeast Asian Archaeology newsletter. These stories, though not directly related to Southeast Asian archaeology, kinda are - offering insights and reflections on shared heritage, cultural shifts, and contemporary challenges. In this edition, we delve into various themes ranging from the decline of traditional transport modes like rickshaws and horse carriages to efforts in cultural preservation and ecological sustainability. We also touch upon the economic and social hurdles faced by different communities, as well as other exciting discoveries in history, archaeology and the deeper past.

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Keeping Culture Alive

• AI for language preservation: Indonesia, with over 700 languages, faces the threat of linguistic extinction, particularly for around 400 dialects. Several initiatives, including AI and large language models, are being developed to preserve languages like Bahasa Indonesia and other regional dialects. Community efforts in digitizing texts are crucial for providing the data needed to train these LLMs.

• Support for Khmer artists: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has established a fund to promote and safeguard endangered art forms, encouraging the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and artists to collaborate in preserving ancient arts. The premier also committed $100,000 over five years to the Khmer Artists Association, urging continued philanthropic support for Cambodian arts.

• Tempeh for UNESCO list: Indonesia has proposed tempeh to be inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology submitted the proposal in March 2024, highlighting tempeh's cultural significance and health benefits.