The Pagan Tribes of Borneo

The book offers a thorough portrait of the indigenous peoples who inhabited Borneo at the close of the nineteenth century. Drawing on decades of direct service in Sarawak and a year‑long anthropological expedition, the authors combine personal observation, extensive conversations, and meticulous field notes to describe daily life, belief systems, and social customs. Their aim is to present an unembellished view, grounded in firsthand experience rather than second‑hand reports.

Both collaborators spent long periods living among the tribes, sharing meals, staying in their homes, and traveling deep into untouched interior valleys. Their accounts are enriched with photographs, sketches, and detailed measurements that reveal the physical characteristics and ethnic relationships of the groups. The work also includes a scholarly appendix that discusses the results of systematic bodily surveys conducted during their stay.

Listeners will find a vivid, almost tactile record of a world that has largely disappeared, offering valuable insight for anyone fascinated by anthropology, history, or the cultural tapestry of Southeast Asia.