Long Ears, Tattoos, Fading Traditions
The Dayak indigenous group in Kalimantan has a long history of traditional tattooing and elongating of the ear lobes as a sign of beauty and nobility.…
Tag: Self-Determination
The Making of a Refugee
The rhetoric surrounding refugees is today often framed as matters of border security, illegal movement, or burdens on welfare systems. Visiting the c…
In Limbo: Indonesia’s Ahmadiyya community
The Ahmadiyya in Indonesia have long battled allegations of heresy and blasphemy, which has lead to decades of persecution across the archipelago. As …
NN Explains: The Indonesian Presidential Elections
Indonesians will vote for their next president on 17 April. If you aren't familiar with the Indonesian presidential election process, here's an explai…
Death by Coal on the Santan River
The Santan River was once the heart of village life, providing communities with food, livelihoods and social space. But mining operations have wrecked…
Religion, Singapore, and a Cancelled Metal Show
The Singapore debut of Swedish black metal band Watain was abruptly cancelled after a petition by Christians gathered over 17,000 signatures. The canc…
Hope in Thailand’s Deep South
Provinces in Thailand’s deep south have been the site of ongoing violent conflict since 2004. With a long-waited election approaching in March, peac…
Life in the Margins
Hundreds of people have sought refuge in the no-man’s land between Mae Sot in Thailand and Myawaddy in Myanmar. Smuggling and trafficking is a commo…
Foundations Laid, Directions Set
From its early years as an independent republic, Singapore has been closely aligned with the United States. While it has served Singapore well in the …
The Steep Path: West Papua’s Political Prisoners
For Papuan political prisoners, being locked up is not the end. Committed as they are to the struggle for independence, many prisoners continue to fig…
