From 12 to 14 December 2025, the 3rd Malaysian Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (MIPCE 3) will open its doors at J Borneo Native Village, Lok Kawi, with a vibrant public exhibition and market showcasing the languages, creativity, and cultural heritage of Malaysia’s Indigenous communities. 

While the conference brings together educators, cultural leaders, and policymakers, the exhibition and market are open to the public, offering visitors a rare opportunity to see how Indigenous communities are strengthening language revitalisation, creative learning, and cultural continuity through hands-on, community-driven work.

Event Details 

  • Dates: 12–14 December 2025 
  • Venue: J Borneo Native Village, Lok Kawi, Sabah 
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fri & Sat), 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Sun)  
  • Admission: Free & open to the public

What Is MIPCE 3?

First established in 2007, MIPCE is a national platform designed to advance Indigenous language education and safeguard the cultural and linguistic heritage of Orang Asal and Orang Asli communities. 

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Indigenous Languages and Cultures through Holistic Education,” places Indigenous Early Childhood Education at the heart of the community. It highlights how Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) allows languages and heritage to thrive and ensures that the stories, crafts, and skills showcased throughout the exhibition and market can be passed on to future generations. 

Co-organised by: 

Supported by: 

MIPCE 3 Exhibition: Stories, Languages & Creative Learning

The exhibition runs throughout all three days of MIPCE 3, showcasing community-made educational materials, cultural creations, and innovative projects grounded in heritage languages and Indigenous knowledge systems. 

Children’s books, posters, and learning materials 

Discover alphabet posters, children’s books, reading materials, and classroom resources created by community educators, all designed in Indigenous languages and rooted in local culture. 

Songs, stories, and digital heritage products 

Experience traditional songs, community stories, and AI-assisted animations produced through workshops that blend creativity, technology, and language revitalisation. 

Traditional costumes, motifs, and cultural displays 

Explore visual heritage from Sabah’s many Indigenous communities, featuring motifs, attire, and cultural expressions that reflect identity, history, and artistic continuity. 

Live craft demonstrations 

Enjoy demonstrations of weaving, beadwork, embroidery, and other traditional skills that remain central to community life and intergenerational learning.

MIPCE 3 Market: Locally Made Crafts & Heritage Products

The market brings together Indigenous artisans and community cooperatives offering: 

  • Handwoven baskets, mats, and beadwork 
  • Homegrown snacks and heritage foods 
  • Natural and eco-friendly village-made products 
  • Handmade textiles, garments, and decorative crafts 
  • Educational materials in Indigenous languages 

Every purchase directly supports rural educators, artisans, and community cooperatives working to revive cultural skills and create sustainable livelihoods.

Why You Should Visit MIPCE 3

Whether you’re a Sabah local, culture enthusiast, parent, student, or traveller, the exhibition and market offer rare opportunities to: 

  • Discover the work of community educators and artisans 
  • Learn about Malaysia’s Indigenous languages and cultural diversity 
  • Support grassroots education and heritage preservation 
  • Experience living traditions through craft, performance, and storytelling 
  • Engage with community members who are shaping the future of Indigenous education 

This event shines a light on the creativity, resilience, and innovation that continue to strengthen Indigenous knowledge systems across Malaysia.

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