Geospatial Transformations And Cultural Resilience: A Proposed Communication Framework For The Lundayeh Community In Long Pasia, Sabah

Abstract

This study investigates the complex interplay between large-scale development, environmental transformations and cultural resilience among Indigenous Peoples in Borneo. Using a mixed-methods design, it integrates geospatial analysis, ethnographic fieldwork and policy review to assess the socio-cultural implications of infrastructure and economic projects. Findings reveal that while development enhances regional economic integration, it often precipitates cultural conflicts such as land dispossession, erosion of Indigenous languages and threats to sacred sites. Prevailing top-down communication practices marginalize Indigenous voices, thereby weakening community agency. Conversely, cultural communication through rituals, arts and oral traditions emerges as a vital mechanism for identity preservation and negotiation of development pressures. The study highlights the urgent need for participatory communication frameworks, inclusive policy dialogues, and legal reforms that recognize customary land tenure. It underscores the critical role of Indigenous narratives in shaping development discourse and contributes insights for more equitable and sustainable development policies in Indigenous territories globally.