Rojak #91: Scents, Saints, and Scandals

Photo by Colin + Meg on Unsplash

I forgot to press ‘publish’. This week’s Rojak is a little late, not for being too busy, but just forgeting to publish it on Wednesday. Oops!

This monh, much like the Rafflesia—revered by some, reviled by others—this edition of the Rojak blossoms with stories that are equal parts captivating and controversial. In the damp undergrowth of archaeological discovery, sacred landscapes are graffitied, spiritual artifacts surface on TikTok, and heritage is co-opted for chocolate ads. It's a mix of curiosity and consequence, where the sweet scent of exposure often masks a more pungent whiff of exploitation.

From an indigenous flower steeped in spiritual ethics to ancient beads with cross-continental provenance, and from legendary princes repackaged as fashion icons to the unsettling uncovering of occult remnants, this month’s stories make us ask: when does sharing the past become stripping it bare? When does admiration curdle into appropriation?

But not all is grim and grave—there’s some seriously clever field tech to lighten the load (and your backpack), and a groundbreaking genomic study that flips the migration map upside down. If you’ve ever wondered whether your ancestors took the scenic route to South America, you’re not alone. So inhale deeply (if you dare)—this Rojak’s got notes of history, a base of ethics, and just a hint of scandal.

The Rojak is a monthly supporters-only edition of the newsletter that covers all the stories that came across my desk, but didn’t make it into the regular newsletter. They are stories are not really about Southeast Asia and/or Archaeology, but yet somehow are.