cultural symbolism

Publication update 25: Bane or Blessing? Reviewing Cultural Values of Bats across the Asia-Pacific Region

Our inaugural publication from Phase 2 of Project Pteropus has been published by the Society of Ethnobiology! Led by Mary-Ruth as first author and Sheema as senior author, this literature review was a regional collaboration involving 13 co-authors from 9 countries across the Asia-Pacific, including Malaysia (Peninsular and Sarawak), China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Samoa. It’s fully open-access, which means you can both read it online or download the PDF, completely for free: https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-ethnobiology/volume-41/issue-1/0278-0771-41.1.18/Bane-or-Blessing-Reviewing-Cultural-Values-of-Bats-across-the/10.2993/0278-0771-41.1.18.full

April 5, 2021September 7, 2021 by Rimba Categories: Home, Project Updates, PublicationsTags: Asia-Pacific, bat conservation, bats, BFM 89.9, cultural symbolism, Cyren Wong Zhi Hoong, flying fox, Mary-Ruth Low, Project Pteropus, Sheema Abdul Aziz

Bat Week 2020: Bingka tie-up

Here’s your chance to invite some lucky bats and durian into your home! Did you know that bats are auspicious symbols in Chinese and Chinese-influenced cultures? Asia-Pacific peoples have traditionally celebrated bats for the amazing animals they really are!

Celebrate Bat Week with Bingka and Project Pteropus! For a limited time only, Bingka KL is offering a 10% discount (minimum purchase RM50) off all items from their beautiful Peranakan range which features, you guessed it, lucky bats and durian flowers! Their Peranakan range includes items such as coasters, tea towels, pouches, bags, and placemats!

Those of us in the Klang Valley and Sabah may be under CMCO, but you can still celebrate with us: stay home, #supportlokal and invite these lucky bats into your home! Use the promo code BINGKARIMBA10 when you checkout. Offer ends after 31 October 2020!

And remember, sharing this post with the correct 3 hashtags + tagging 3 of your friends counts as another entry into our GIVEAWAY 😊

Facebook: @bingkaKL
Instagram: @bingka.kl

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 by Rimba Categories: Home, Project UpdatesTags: ASEAN, Asia-Pacific, bat conservation, Bat Week 2020, bats, Bingka Design, Bingka KL, Chinese culture, cultural symbolism, durian, ethnobiology, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peranakan, Project Pteropus, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand

Bat Week 2020: A Celebration of Bats in Asia-Pacific Cultures

Contrary to today’s Western-influenced perceptions of bats being scary or spooky, research by Project Pteropus has uncovered a treasure trove of positive bat symbolism in numerous cultures across the Asia-Pacific region! In this part of the world, our ancestors traditionally revered and celebrated bats, recognising how amazing and inspirational these animals really are.

We really wanted to find a way to highlight and share the multitude of positive beliefs around bats that we found in the many cultures within the region. The result is this stunning map by Malaysian artist Reimena Yee.

Facebook: @reimenaashelyee
Instagram: @reimenayee
Twitter: @reimenayee

We’ll be making this available as a poster very soon, so watch this space – but in the meantime, it will be included in our BAT WEEK GIVEAWAY, so for those in Malaysia: don’t forget to follow us, share this post and include the right hashtags, PLUS tag 3 friends to stand a chance at winning it!! And remember: if you don’t follow ALL 3 instructions then we can’t include you in the giveaway!

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020 by Rimba Categories: Home, Project UpdatesTags: ASEAN, Asia, Asia-Pacific, Asmat, Australia, bat conservation, bats, Borneo, Bowi, China, cultural symbolism, culture, Dayak, flying fox, folklore, Iban, India, indigenous peoples, Indochina, Indonesia, Irian Jaya, Japan, Kali, Kalimantan, keluang, Kenyah, Kinjinmbunduo, Leutogi, Mah Meri, Malay, Malaysia, Mary-Ruth Low, Myanmar, mythology, Orang Asal, Orang Asli, Papua New Guinea, Peranakan, Philippines, Polynesian, Project Pteropus, Pteropus, Samoa, Sarawak, semawa, Sheema Abdul Aziz, siku keluang, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Sumatra, symbolism, Taiwan, Tamil Sangam, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trobriand, usung dian, Vietnam, Wat Mahatup, Wik, wu fu lin men, zapin, Zhong Kui