Gregory anak Kiyai @ Keai “Visual Narratives: Colonial Photography and the Ngepan Iban Cultural Shift in Borneo”

This research examines the visual narratives and cultural transformation associated with the ngepan Iban in Borneo through the lens of colonial photographic imagery. During the colonial period various European powers undertook extensive documentation of Indigenous cultures, producing a rich repository of images that have since become critical sources for historical and anthropological analysis. This study explores how these colonial images influenced the representation and understanding of the cultural practices, social structures, and identity associated with the ngepan Iban. By analyzing a selection of historical photographs and illustrations, this research aims to uncover the ways in which colonial visual documentation has both reflected and shaped the perceptions of ngepan Iban culture, highlighting the intersections of colonialism, visual representation, and Indigenous identity. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of colonial documentation on Indigenous cultural narratives and offer insights into the broader implications of visual representation in historical research.

Keywords: colonial photography, cultural transformation, ngepan Iban, visual representation, Indigenous identity