The author's travels through Borneo and Sumatra.

Once headhunters under the rule of White Rajahs and briefly colonised before independence within Malaysia, the Iban Dayaks of Borneo are one of the world's most extraordinary indigenous tribes, possessing ancient traditions and a unique way of life. As a young man Erik Jensen settled in Sarawak where he lived with the Iban for seven years, learning their language and the varied rites and practices of their lives. He was also witness to the great and often shattering changes they faced then and continue to face today. The plentiful harvests, abundant game and rivers teeming with fish of their remembered past have long since disappeared - destroyed by restrictions on settlement and, ironically, by forest conservation. The Iban's animist beliefs are slowly being replaced by the imported religions of Christianity and Islam and their traditional ways by modern schooling and medicine. In this compelling and beautifully-wrought memoir, Erik Jensen reveals the challenges facing the Iban as they adapt to another century, whilst fighting to preserve their identity and singular place in the world. Haunting, yet hopeful, Where Hornbills Fly opens a window onto a vanishing world and paints a remarkable portrait of this fragile tribe, which continues to survive deep in the heart of Borneo.

Step into the fascinating world of Borneo's indigenous tribes with William Henry Furness's "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters: Its Festivals and Folk-Lore". This captivating ethnographic study offers a unique glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Borneo's head-hunting communities, exploring their traditions, festivals, and folklore with meticulous detail and empathetic insight. Join William Henry Furness as he delves into the daily lives and cultural practices of the Borneo head-hunters, providing readers with an intimate portrait of their society. Through firsthand observations and engaging narrative, Furness captures the essence of their home life, from the intricate rituals of their festivals to the enchanting stories passed down through generations. Furness's masterful storytelling weaves together themes of tradition, community, and cultural identity. Each chapter serves as a valuable hook-point, drawing readers into a world where the past and present coexist in a vibrant tapestry of customs and beliefs. With its blend of vivid descriptions and scholarly analysis, "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters" sets an informative and immersive tone that appeals to both anthropologists and general readers. From the lively celebrations of tribal festivals to the haunting beauty of Borneo's folk tales, Furness paints a vivid picture of a culture that is both ancient and enduring. Since its publication, "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters" has been acclaimed for its detailed ethnographic work and respectful portrayal of Borneo's indigenous people. Its enduring relevance and cultural richness continue to captivate readers, offering profound insights into the traditions and lifestyles of a unique community. As you delve into the pages of "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters", you'll find yourself drawn to its rich cultural detail, compelling themes, and engaging storytelling. Furness's keen observations and his ability to craft a comprehensive narrative make this book a cherished resource for those interested in anthropology and cultural studies. In conclusion, "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters" is more than just an ethnographic study—it’s a timeless exploration of human culture, tradition, and identity that continues to inspire and educate readers. Whether you're a longtime student of anthropology or discovering this cultural gem for the first time, prepare to be enlightened by William Henry Furness's authoritative and engaging account. Don't miss your chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of Borneo. Let "The Home-Life of Borneo Head-Hunters" guide you through the vibrant traditions and captivating folklore of this unique community. Grab your copy now and join the many readers who have been inspired by Furness's masterful work.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

In 1963, the former British colony of Malaya was lobbying for the formation of a new political entity, the Federation of Malaysia, Singapore, Sabeh (North Borneo), Brunei and Sarawak. Viewing this as a threat to his dreams of expansion, President Sukarno of Indonesia began infiltrating insurgents into Borneo. In response, the British organised a force of Malay, British and Commonwealth troops to contain the rebels. What was most desperately needed, however, was a specialist group who could perform highly dangerous and arduous military tasks in the inhospitable, perilous terrain. The only men suitable for such operations were the legendary Special Air Service the SAS! Soldier H SAS: The Headhunters of Borneo is the story of one of the least-known, most extraordinary wars in British history. The SAS braved jungle and swamp infested with snakes, lizards, leeches, wild pigs and all kinds of poisonous insects to live with the primitive, headhunting natives in their longhouses by the rivers, winning their hearts and minds with medical aid and other assistance, then training them as paramilitaries who would eventually become known as the Border Scouts. While some of the SAS remained for months with the headhunters, other moved even deeper into the unexplored jungle 'the Gap' to establish ambush sites and helicopter landing zones. They also conducted daring 'Claret' raids across the border when, as the renowned 'Tiptoe Boys' who hit hard and vanished fast, they set booby traps and ambushed enemy troops moving along the many jungle tracks and rivers. They fought a bloody, nightmarish war and won it.

Head Hunters in the Malayan Emergency investigates the infamous political scandal sparked after horrific photographs of war crimes during the Malayan Emergency were leaked to the British press. These photographs depicted British forces and their allies in Malaya scalping corpses and posing with decapitated human heads. The subsequent scandal, involving British generals, police, trade unions, and even Winston Churchill, led to the further discoveries that British forces had deployed over 1,000 men from Bornean headhunting tribes to Malaya, were publicly displaying corpses to terrify Malaya's civilian population into submission, and that photographs of such atrocities had become popular souvenirs among British troops. Using newly uncovered photographs, eyewitness accounts, and government documents, this research is the first ever attempt by any historian to create a complete history of the British-Malayan Headhunting Scandal, its political consequences, the stories of those involved, and its attempted cover-up.

This 1953 volume describes the Dusun people of the Tempasuk region in what was formerly North Borneo.

March 1945. A handful of young Allied operatives are parachuted into the remote jungled heart of the Japanese-occupied island of Borneo, east of Singapore, there to recruit the island’s indigenous Dayak peoples to fight the Japanese. Yet most have barely encountered Asian or indigenous people before, speak next to no Borneo languages, and know little about Dayaks, other than that they have been – and may still be – headhunters. They fear that on arrival the Dayaks will kill them or hand them over to the Japanese. For their part, some Dayaks have never before seen a white face. So begins the story of Operation Semut, an Australian secret operation launched by the organisation codenamed Services Reconnaisance Department – popularly known as Z Special Unit – in the final months of WWII. Anthropologist Christine Helliwell has called on her years of first-hand knowledge of Borneo, interviewed more than one hundred Dayak people and all the remaining Semut operatives, and consulted thousands of military and other documents to piece together this astonishing story. Focusing on the operation's activities along two of Borneo’s great rivers – the Baram and Rejang – the book provides a detailed military history of Semut II’s and Semut III’s brutal guerrilla campaign against the Japanese, and reveals the decisive but long-overlooked Dayak role in the operation. But this is no ordinary history. Helliwell captures vividly the sounds, smells and tastes of the jungles into which the operatives are plunged, an environment so terrifying that many are unsure whether jungle or Japanese is the greater enemy. And she takes us into the lives and cavernous longhouses of the Dayaks on whom their survival depends. The result is a truly unique account of the encounter between two very different cultures amidst the savagery of the Pacific War.