The MRDC project of Nomad RSI have been active in the indigenous populated province of Mondulkiri to preserve the culture of its main ethnic group, the Bunong. This project aims at continuing this work by training young Bunong volunteers on producing locally made films of traditional stories told by elders and on broadcasting them through social media tools previously developed and mobile phones.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Sen monorom
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
The Bunong has stayed at the margins of the country developing specific traditions and ways of living based on a wise usage of natural resources. Their ancient culture is transmitted orally through their only-spoken language and is rich of songs and stories. Recent changes occurring in the province is putting pressure on the important Bunong bioculture. Young generations are willing to continue to make their culture living through new media.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Bunong culture is orally transmitted and is laying in the minds of the elders. Numerous stories and songs related to places, origin of villages, names of useful plants are only known by a few elders. Films and audio recordings of those elders telling their stories set up in the location of the story would be produced and edited in MP3 and MP4 format. Then they will broadcast through social media and through mobile phones.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
The MRDC have been working in close partnership with the Department of Culture. Local authorities of the village are also involved to facilitate the collection and difffusion of data to villagers. MIPAD (indigenous people’s organization) will also help to distribute the material created through their village activities and network. Eventually, a partnership with a High school in a Bunong district will be developed for selecting the students.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
Participants will be consisting of 20 to 30 young Bunong students trained in social media use and the 10 most actives to form a group and produce material. Their teachers will also be involved in the activities and be trained in the use of social Medias. Then at the end of the project the teachers will be able to follow up with their students on the development of the social media. In addition the volunteer group will be encouraged to join MIPAD.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
An important challenge would be to develop the visibility of the social Medias created by the project so that Bunong culture is kept alive, extended to new horizons and can be acknowledged worldwide. It would be great to especially reach the refugee Bunong community living abroad in the US and Australia and also developing contacts and exchanges with other communities. Rising voices could be of a great help through its international network.
Contact name
Chey Bunthy
Organization
Nomad RSI