What does it mean to empower? For Ivan Avannus, empowering means to shed light—and preserve—the language of indigenous communities in Sabah, a desire that led him to found youth-led initiative, Komuhakan. Through translations, folk tales, and other mediums, Ivan draws inspiration from his Kadazandusun roots to ensure that important oral traditions from his home state live on, and thrive in modern Malaysia. We speak with him about these gems, and how he’s making them accessible to Malaysians from all walks of life.

Image source: Komuhakan Movement's Facebook Page