The use of film in material culture studies: Tacit representation of blade-making practices and uses in the Bidayuh context in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

This thesis explores the nuanced intersection between film as a medium and material culture studies, focusing on the tacit representation of blade-making practices and uses within the Bidayuh community of Kuching, Sarawak, in Malaysia. Through an interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from anthropology, film studies, and cultural analysis, the research delves into the cultural significance embedded within the tradition of blade-making and its uses. Drawing on ethnographic methods and film analysis, the study examines how visual representations capture and convey the intricate socio- cultural dynamics, traditional knowledge, and craftsmanship of blade-making among the Bidayuh people. By analysing the films produced for the British Museum’s Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP), which funded the digital archive project that I work beginning in 2019, and online documentaries, supplemented by fieldwork and interviews within the community, this research aims to unravel the multifaceted layers of meaning embedded within these visual narratives. Furthermore, it seeks to elucidate how such visual records depictions contribute to preserving, disseminating, and negotiating Bidayuh’s cultural heritage. It also sheds light on the broader implications for material culture studies and indigenous representation in visual media. Ultimately, this thesis endeavours to deepen our understanding of the role of film in documenting and interpreting traditional practices, offering insights into the complexities of cultural preservation and representation in a contemporary context.