Book

Iban agriculture: a report on the shifting cultivation of hill rice by the Iban of Sarawak

Her Majesty's Stationery Office • (18) • Published In 1955 • Pages: xii, 148 , plates

By: Freeman, Derek.

Abstract

This is a report on the shifting cultivation of hill rice, a form of primitive agriculture found throughout monsoon Asia. Freeman conducted his field work among the Iban communities in Baleh, a pioneering area located at one of the upper tributaries of the Rejang River. Freeman describes Iban community and family structure, settlement pattern, the land tenure system, and the migratory movements of the people. Freeman's description of agricultural practices includes forest clearing, sowing, weeding, harvesting, transportation, and storage of grains. Other aspects of Iban culture discussed are religion, folk knowledge, diet, tools and implements, trade, travels, and social values. Freeman has also made an analysis of the economics of shifting cultivation and the relationship between agricultural technique and land resources. The final chapter is a discussion of the proper population-land balance and suggestions for the colonial government for effecting stability in the native economy.

HRAF PubDate

1995

Region

Asia

Sub Region

Southeast Asia

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Robert Lee

Field Date

1949-1951

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Baleh, Sarawak, Malaysia

Notes

J. Derek Freeman

Includes index

LCSH

Ibans (Bornean people)