The Journey Along “Sewang” Ceremony (Healthcare Workers + Indigenous Community)
This master's thesis investigates healthcare inequalities within the Senoi’s indigenous community’s rural area, which located in Tapah, Perak, Malaysia. As an architect, I perceive my role as pivotal in addressing and resolving this issue through a comprehensive approach that merges narrative exploration with architectural representation of the traditional “Sewang” ceremony.
Why “Sewang” ceremony?
The ceremony is a method and medium for Senoi’s indigenous community to engage and bring people into the lucid dream realm since they have a special ability to control lucid dreams. In Senoi culture, dreams hold significant meaning such as indicating pregnancy, childhood illnesses and determine the productivity of new agricultural fields. Dreams are essential for communicating with the supernatural world and are integral to healing ceremonies.
By strategically integrating activities and programs aimed at attracting healthcare workers to the rural areas through the stages of “Sewang” ceremony’s journey, my objective is to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas. These programs will provide a sanctuary for relaxation and stress relief, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the community and healthcare professionals.
Through this method, healthcare workers will gain valuable life experiences by immersing themselves in the indigenous environment and culture, particularly the Senoi's dream practices. They will also acquire insights into the community’s sustainable lifestyle, enhancing their professional environment with enjoyment and excitement. Concurrently, the Senoi indigenous community will benefit from improved access to modern healthcare services, thereby enhancing their health outcomes and promoting their unique cultural heritage to those unfamiliar with their traditions and surroundings.
