Through Central Borneo
An Account of Two Years' Travel in the Land of the Head-Hunters between the Years 1913 and 1917

A two-volume account of the last expedition of ethnographer and explorer Carl Lumholtz (1851–1922), originally published in 1920.

Carl Lumholtz (Author)

9781108046282, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 May 2012

334 pages, 85 b/w illus. 2 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.49 kg

The Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Carl Lumholtz (1851–1922) wrote the influential ethnographic studies Among Cannibals and Unknown Mexico (both reissued in this series) after his journeys through Australia and Mexico respectively. In 1913, Lumholtz went on his final expedition, which aimed to explore the large parts of Borneo unknown to the rest of the world. Interested by tales of head-hunting, he wanted to spend time with the indigenous people and conduct research. Originally published in 1920, this two-volume work is Lumholtz's account of his expedition. Many of the illustrations in the work are from photographs taken by the author, including pictures of members of the different tribes he stayed with. Volume 1 begins with an overview of Borneo and goes on to describe the expedition's journey into the jungle, and the various ceremonies experienced during the journey, which provide interesting insights into tribal life and belief systems.

Preface
1. Departure from New York
2. Borneo
3. Bandjermasin, the principal town in Dutch Borneo
4. An expedition into the jungle
5. Meeting Punans, the shy jungle people
6. Resumption of my journey up the Kayan River
7. On the Isau River
8. The journey continued up the Kayan River
9. Hydrophobia
10. In fog and darkness
11. Departure for Bandjermasin
12. The war changes my plans
13. Dayak cure of disease
14. The scaly ant-eater
15. Final start for central Borneo
16. Arrival at Bahandang
17. The Penyahbongs, men of the woods
18. A strange mammal
19. The Saputans
20. Arrival on the Makaham River
21. An excursion down the river
22. Dayak dogs.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]