What does resistance woven through generations of Malay women writers look like? All across the Nusantara, women are speaking back – as they have always done. Their responses weave through Riau’s 19th century literary renaissance, to the anti-colonial fight for Malayan independence, to the current of everyday relations and spirituality. Celebrate literary pioneers like Raja Aisyah Sulaiman, Adibah Amin, Dr Hadijah Rahmat, Dr Sa’eda Buang, Rasiah Halil and Kumpulan Bebas Melata, who take the admonition of ‘jangan menjawab!’’ (don’t respond!) wielded against women, and instead braid comebacks through their literary contributions. It is not if they resist. The cumulative force of their critiques, poetry and anthologies proves that compliance is simply not an option.

Venue: The Arts House, Blue Room and Online

When: 5 - 20 Nov 2022, 11am - 9pm

By: The Arts House