In 2019, Yayasan Pendidikan Budaya Mentawai (YPBM) embarked on a very meaningful project to preserve local cultural heritage through in-depth research of Mentawai’s cultural mythology – an endeavor proudly supported by our long-term partner, the Indigenous Education Foundation. The goal

Mentawai Cultural Education Foundation – YPBM will continue to be committed to working to develop the Mentawai Cultural and Ecological Education Program (CEEP) for the young Mentawai generation. We will continue to improve the quality of learning in accordance with

Our world is changing dramatically. Increased drought, fire, pollution, and natural disasters across the globe. This is climate change and our mismanagement of our surroundings is causing it. We must all be aware of our actions and responsibilities in preventing

Documenting the oral traditions of Mentawai people from the Sarereiket and Sabirut regions of Siberut. Indigenous people’s storytelling systems and traditions are disappearing, but to sustain our collective future we must heed their wisdom. Sarereiket region, Siberut, Mentawai – It

MENTAWAI LANGUAGE LEARNING BOOK Over the past few decades, the Mentawai have seen dramatic change throughout their archipelago. There has been an enormous surge in development, tourism, and immigration – bringing with it powerful foreign influence. August Tonggiat, founder of

The last few months we have been busy finalising our team, organising our new office, scouting a location to host our program and continuing to formally introduce our program to the wider community and government officials. For those interested, the

Last Friday, 15 September, the Yayasan Pendidikan Suku Mentawai was formally inaugurated along with our Mentawai Ecotourism and new office space in Desa Muntei. The inauguration event is an important step to establishing the Yayasan within the Mentawai community, giving

It has been a rather eventful month in Mentawai – gathering documentation for a campaign video; furthering our strategy to enable the community an avenue to sustain their cultural education program; and meeting with Mentawai Government heads to discuss their

Each day we move a step closer toward achieving our goals with Suku Mentawai and the Cultural and Environmental Education Program (CEEP). These past few months have been particularly productive. Travelling to Siberut Island with members of the Suku Mentawai team,