Folklore, Storytelling, and Web3: The Unduk Ngadau NFT Project

Pentas IO X MDEC NFT Program

When I joined the Pentas IO X MDEC program, I knew exactly what story I wanted to tell. The challenge was to create a game concept inspired by Malaysian culture, and for me, there was no better choice than Unduk Ngadau—a story deeply rooted in my own Dusun heritage.

Being Dusun myself, I’ve always felt that our folklore and traditions don’t get the representation they deserve. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to bring our stories into the digital space—to show that they matter, that they are rich with meaning, and that they deserve to be shared with the world.

This project wasn’t just about making a game—it was about reclaiming and celebrating our culture in a space where it’s often overlooked. And in the end, it became something even bigger: an NFT project that merges folklore, storytelling, and Web3 technology.

The Story of Unduk Ngadau: A Dusun Legend Reimagined

The game is set in the Mysterious Land of Kaamatan, a world inspired by Dusun mythology—lush, vibrant, and full of life. But beneath its beauty lies a dark secret. The land is dying, and Huminodun, the protagonist, must uncover the truth behind its famine and her family’s disappearance.

A Story Rooted in Culture:

• Players take on the role of Huminodun, venturing through sacred mountains, ancient forests, and hidden shrines.

• Along the way, she collects Seven Kakanan (Jars), gaining new skills—fighting, crafting, and surviving—as she pieces together the past.

• The biggest twist? Her own brother, Ponompulan, is the one behind it all. In the end, she realizes that the only way to save Kaamatan is through sacrifice—her own.

This isn’t just a story—it’s part of our identity. If you’ve ever heard of Pesta Kaamatan, you might know the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, which honors the spirit of Huminodun. But before she was Unduk Ngadau, she was a girl who made an unthinkable choice for the good of her people. And that’s the story I wanted to tell.

NFTs: A New Way to Preserve and Share Folklore

I didn’t want this project to just end as a concept—I wanted it to live on. That’s where NFTs came in.

Why NFTs?

• The Unduk Ngadau posters I created were minted as NFTs, visually capturing different moments of Huminodun’s journey.

• More than just digital art, they’re a way to preserve Dusun folklore and bring it into Web3.

• The idea was to build an NFT ecosystem—where collectibles, in-game assets, and digital experiences could help keep our stories alive.

For a culture that is so often underrepresented, this felt like a powerful way to make sure our legends don’t just fade into history.

Here's my NFT poster:

This is Just the Beginning

If this project has taught me anything, it’s that folklore doesn’t have to stay in the past. It can evolve. It can adapt. And most importantly, it can be seen.

There are so many stories—ours, yours, ours together—that deserve to be told. And I hope this is just the start of something bigger.

So if you’ve ever thought about bringing your culture, your stories, your roots into a new space—this is your reminder to just start. Because if we don’t tell our own stories, who will?

If you’d like to see the detailed project documentation, feel free to reach out to me—I’d be happy to share! 😊