Customer Reviews

Nine Dayak Nights (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks)

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William Geddes is one of the few ethnographers to have worked with the Land Dayaks of Sarawak. This book is based on his research in the village of Mentu Tapuh. It is divided into two sections. The first is a basic ethnography with an emphasis on social structure. The second is the recounting of the myth of culture-hero Kipachi (for which it took his informant nine nights to tell, hence the title). This is a good book about an interesting group of people.

This is a fascinating description of a small society in Borneo that evokes lots of thoughts about our own and the implicit assumptions we make about life, the world and social/moral behavior. It's also one of those wonderful rare anthropological studies that keeps reminding us that "traditional" people don't necessarily buy all their own myths or conform to all of their daily rules for living than we do ourselves.

Geddes is an exceptionally enjoyable writer to read. The book isn't long, so take the time to savor his dry-humored voice and style.