ABSTRACT

Published in 1937. This book, written by the well-known authority on the ethnology and archaeology of the Malay Peninsula, presents a compact and detailed account of the Negritos, one of the three paga races of the Peninsula. It brings up to date much of the previous work on this subject, and deals with all aspects of their character and environment. By way of introduction, there is a general description of the geography and development of the Peninsula, together with a discussion of statistics concerning the tribe's distribution, their health, habitat, and territories. The author then examines the various aspects of their everyday life, including social and domestic customs, hunting, agriculture, dress, ornamentation, musical instruments, and art, as well as their religious beliefs and superstitions. The chapters on their weapons are particularly detailed and informative, and the book is supported throughout by useful illustrations.

Although many further studies of this area and its people have been made since the first publication of this book in 1937, its methodical and careful documentation has yet to be superseded, and it remains indispensable to all students of anthropology and sociology.

chapter Chapter II|11 pages

Numbers, Health, Territories

chapter Chapter III|10 pages

Groups, Group Names, Government

chapter Chapter IV|7 pages

Intercourse with Malays and Foreigners

chapter Chapter V|9 pages

General Appearance, Personal Character

chapter Chapter VI|8 pages

Dwellings

chapter Chapter VIII|12 pages

Clothing, Ornaments, Hairdressing

chapter Chapter IX|8 pages

Face-Painting, Mutilations, Tattooing

chapter Chapter X|11 pages

Weapons—the Bow and Arrow and the Blowpipe

The Bow and Arrow

chapter Chapter XII|12 pages

Musical Instruments, Singing, Dancing

chapter Chapter XIII|12 pages

Negrito Art

chapter Chapter XIV|12 pages

The Negrito Deities

chapter Chapter XV|9 pages

The Negrito Deities (continued)

chapter Chapter XVII|15 pages

Thunder, Lightning, Tabus and Punishment Tales

chapter Chapter XVIII|5 pages

The Pillar that Supports the Heavens

chapter Chapter XIX|12 pages

The Shaman

chapter Chapter XX|16 pages

The Shaman (continued)

chapter Chapter XXI|12 pages

Various Folk-Lore Beliefs and Customs

chapter Chapter XXII|15 pages

Folk-Tales

chapter Chapter XXIII|11 pages

Birth, Naming, Marriage, Relationship Tabus, etc.

chapter Chapter XXIV|10 pages

The Afterworld

chapter Chapter XXV|11 pages

Death and Burial

chapter Chapter XXVI|13 pages

Linguistics

chapter Chapter XXVII|9 pages

Bodily Powers and Physical Anthropology