Tropical War Stories: Preserving Oral Histories from World War II Borneo

Janet E Marles,Frank Dhont,Maslin Bin Haji Jukim

doi:10.25120/etropic.15.2.2016.3544

Janet E Marles, Frank Dhont + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.15.2.2016.3544

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Abstract

Traditional historical texts predominantly rely on written sources, yet oral accounts add specificity and personal depth to written narratives, particularly where written sources are sparse or unable to provide a comprehensive account of an era. This paper describes a video archive from the tropical island of Borneo. Created with graduate students from Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam across diverse language groups, this oral history project provides an archival database of first person interviews with witnesses to the Japanese occupation of Malaysian Borneo during World War II. These stories add texture and nuance to the current historical narrative, particularly for young Borneans unaware of the turbulent experiences their forebears endured during that period. The archive contributes in many unique ways to the traditional historical record and offers numerous opportunities for furtherresearch.

Highlights

Haji Matussin bin Sabtu 5 Awang Jamit anak LasahIn Marudi, where they had been cruel to the local people, the Japanese were killed
Background and methodologyThis oral history research originates from Universiti Brunei Darussalam research grants of 2013 to 2016 and focuses, where possible, on interviews with people who witnessed the Japanese occupation of Brunei and Northern Sarawak (1941-1945)
One primary objective is to explore the historical period during World War II and ensure young generations of Bruneians and Malaysians understand life as it was lived in Borneo during the Japanese occupation

Summary

Haji Matussin bin Sabtu 5 Awang Jamit anak Lasah

In Marudi, where they had been cruel to the local people, the Japanese were killed. Awang Jamit says: ‘they (our people) killed the ones (Japanese) who made ruckus (disturbed the locals) at the village long-houses’ (Marles & Jukim, 2014c). Kim Choon’s6 family fled Taiwan, arriving near Brunei shortly before the advancing Japanese army. Deciding the Japanese were unstoppable and likely to remain, her father chose to work with them. During the occupation young people, unmarried girls, were unsafe. Many young locals married their cousin as a means to protect single girls from the Japanese. Kim Choon says she did not have to marry because her father worked with the Japanese. ‘They said to my father, if anyone bothers you, let us know’ (Marles & Jukim, 2014d)

Background and methodology

Conclusion