Nine Dayak Nights

This remarkable book provides a portrait of the lesser-known peoples of Sarawak, New Zealand: the Land Dayaks. Written by an anthropologist who came to know these people during a two-year stay in their remote village, the study--introduced by a folktale imparted to the author by the leading spirit-medium in the village--is a masterly analysis based on sound anthroplogical techniques and informed with understanding, affections, and humor. Geddes describes the life of the Land Dayaks--their traditions, beliefs, and their attitudes toward things around them--and reveals not only their differences from, but also their similarities to the greater world of humanity outside their community. Originally published in 1957, this study has lost none of its freshness or fascination.