Borneo: The Land of River and Palm

Natural History Publications. 2004. Reprint.. Trade paperback. Fine. No dust jacket as issued.. 172 p. . From time to time we come across books supposedly recounting experiences among the natives of unexplored regions of the world. This book is an unabashed account of Borneo: its peoples, their lifestyles and customs, written by someone who had not set foot on its shores. This fact is readily acknowledged in the preface to the book. The main objective of the book was to invigorate the senses and stimulate interest in the quest to encourage the Anglican Church of England to send forth its missionaries so urgently needed in Borneo. Borneo: The Land of River and Palm is based extensively on earlier works of authors, particularly Mr. Ling Roth who wrote The Natives of Sarawak and British North Borneo, and missionaries who had worked and lived among the natives of Borneo. What is most captivating about this book is the eloquent style of its author, Eda Green, in describing the geography of the land, its history and customs of its peoples. Much of the text is focused on Sarawak during the era of the White Rajah. Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah, landed in Sarawak in 1839 and in 1847, during a visit to England, he appealed to the church at home to help him establish a mission in Sarawak. The first church was consecrated in 1851. The next sixty years, until this book was published, would be trying years for the church. Missionaries of the church would come and go with such high frequency that something had to done to remedy the situation. Perhaps with a better insight of the land and its people, and the express need to convert the heathens from their life of uncivilized practices head hunting being one of them more missionaries would take up the challenge to dedicate their lives to such a worthy cause. The first half of the book covers generalities such as the natural features and various native tribes of Borneo, their customs, superstitions and beliefs. The second half provides the historical background of James Brooke s governance of Sarawak and his efforts in bringing Christianity to the land. The final three chapters deal with the mission itself and its attempts to propagate the Christian faith. The book, first published in 1911 by the Borneo Mission Association, is enhanced considerably by photographic images of the native people themselves and drawings of the many items that represent aspects of their daily lives of that period.