Ceritalah: Unleashing the power of blockchain with cultural heritage NFTs
In the first of our Support Lokal initiatives, Ceritalah and Think City are trialling the use of web3, blockchain and NFTs within cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism.
In partnership with the Penang Hokkien Language Association, and in collaboration with prolific Malaysian literary artist Heng Yeh and digital artist Luke Lee, Ceritalah is offering six limited-edition cultural heritage NFTs powered by the NFT platform Open Sea.
The profits from NFT purchases will support the continued work of local artists and the Penang Hokkien Association’s efforts to preserve Penang Hokkien.
NFT Spotlight: The Penang Hokkien Archives
The Tale of the Lychee and Mirror is the oldest existing work of literature written in Hokkien. Today, in 2024, certain terms used in everyday Penang Hokkien can still be traced back to that 16th-century play script.
Using these terms as a starting point, this project aims to highlight Hokkien as a full-fledged language, with its own history and writing system, by reconnecting audiences to one of its most iconic romances.
The written vignettes draw upon the personal and the political to further reflect on heritage, language, and storytelling, while the cyberpunk visuals combine the recognisable past with futuristic aesthetics, questioning the link between language, place, and time. Lines from the play, alongside the vignettes, are also presented in Penang Hokkien to reimagine and expand the possibilities of the language. The minting of these works as NFTs serves as an act of preservation. Heng Yeh, Lead Project Artist (Should we write this in Hokkien as well?)
About The Artists
Yee Heng Yeh
Yee Heng Yeh is a writer and translator. His poetry has been featured in local and international publications and was twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize. In 2023, he was a resident artist at Rimbun Dahan and a Writing Fellow at A Public Space. He is currently the poetry editor of NutMag and a Chevening Scholar 2024/2025. You can find him on Twitter or Bluesky @HengYeh42.
Luke Lee
Luke is one of the lead collaborators who is passionate about reviving ancient.. (TBC)
@lukelee____
Keeping Hokkien Alive:
Why It Matters
Hokkien is one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and most vibrant languages, spoken across generations in Penang and beyond. Penang Hokkien, in particular, is a distinct hybridisation of cultures and language, incorporating Malay words into everyday conversation. Its unique expressions set it apart from other regional dialects in Malaysia.
Once the pride and joy of Penangites, Penang Hokkien has now become faint whispers at markets and hawker centres, spoken mainly by the older generation.However, it faces the risk of disappearing due to shifting cultural priorities, the dominance of global languages, and the declining number of young speakers. By celebrating Hokkien’s rich heritage and stories, we aim to contribute to its preservation for future generations.
Why We Chose to Partner with the Penang Hokkien Association
For our first initiative in the Web3 space, we partnered with the Penang Hokkien Association and its Speak Hokkien campaign to celebrate and preserve the Hokkien language. This collaboration is deeply rooted in our belief that digital innovation should not only preserve cultural heritage but also empower local communities. Hokkien is a living language that holds generations of stories, traditions, and identity — but it’s at risk of fading away.
Through this partnership, we’re using NFTs to amplify the voices of Hokkien speakers and raise awareness about the importance of preserving this vital piece of Penang’s cultural fabric.Together with the Penang Hokkien Association, we’re creating digital collections that honour the vibrancy of Hokkien and ensure its stories continue to be shared and appreciated for generations to come.
What is an NFT?
An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a unique digital asset representing ownership or proof of authenticity of a specific item or piece of content on a blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and interchangeable, NFTs are distinct and cannot be replicated.
How can NFT’S Contribute to Preservation?
While still with its challenges, NFTs have the potential to benefit local communities, tourism, culture, and heritage preservation.
- Preservation and Digitisation of Cultural Heritage: NFTs can be used to tokenize and digitise cultural artefacts, artworks, or historical documents, increasing awareness and appreciation of local culture
- New Revenue Streams for Artists and Creators: NFTs enable artists, musicians, writers, and other creators to tokenize their work and sell it directly to collectors.
- Community Engagement and Participation: NFTs can be used to engage communities in cultural projects or initiatives, such as community owned NFTs.
- Funding for Cultural Projects: NFT sales can generate funds for cultural institutions, heritage sites, or community-driven projects for preservation efforts, educational programs, or infrastructure improvements that benefit the local community.
- Global Exposure and Tourism: By tokenising local landmarks, historical sites, or unique cultural experiences as NFTs, communities can attract virtual tourists and collectors, promoting tourism and also raising awareness about the cultural significance of these locations.
- Preservation and Digitisation of Cultural Heritage: NFTs can be used to tokenize and digitise cultural artefacts, artworks, or historical documents, increasing awareness and appreciation of local culture.
