Quer Durch Borneo

A determined explorer charts a sweeping journey across the heart of Borneo, moving from the western port of Pontianak to the eastern river town of Samarinda. Along the way he records vivid observations of the island’s rugged interior, its tangled rivers, and the daily lives of the Bahau and Mahakam peoples he encounters. The narrative blends personal adventure with careful scientific notes, offering listeners a rare glimpse into a world that was, at the time, barely documented.

Beyond the travel log, the work delves into the customs, architecture, and artistry of the indigenous communities, enriched by detailed photographs reproduced from the original plates. The author’s firsthand medical practice among the locals and his reflections on the natural landscape add depth to the ethnographic portrait. Listeners will be drawn into a period of curiosity and discovery, hearing the sounds of a remote world captured through the eyes of a meticulous 19th‑century naturalist.