Cultural History In Focus | “Fashioning Cultural Representations: Pioneer Colonial Explorers and Dutch Borneo’s Gentle Headhunters” by Bernard Sellato

Legation of the Lower Mahakam to the Bloeoe River, Central Borneo. Sitting from the left to the right: Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis, Si Ding Ledju. Besides standing Mohammed Raib. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1896 and 1897. Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Fashioning Cultural Representations

Pioneer Colonial Explorers and Dutch Borneo’s Gentle Headhunters

by Bernard Sellato

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This article is generously provided by Bernard Sellato and Moussons.

Departure of the expedition from Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu, on the Upper Kapuas River (Sungai Kapuas) at the Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. The photo shows Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis, Jean Demmeni, Count F. von Berchtold, Auditor L.C. Westenenk and others. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, July 3, 1896.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Head of the Boekats the Samoes, affluent of the Kapuas River (Sungai Kapuas), north of Putus Sibau. Tattoo on his chest and upper arms, ears pierced several times and mirror controls it put. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis,
between 1896 and 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Dance of women of the Kayans on the Bloeoe River, Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo, during the seed sowing festival. The girls in men's costume. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, September 1, 1896.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Batoe Kalong; boulder carved with figures in the Tjehan river, tributary of the Upper Mahakam in Central Borneo. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1896 and 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Four hoedo kajoh; Kayans dressed as ghosts, Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Jump of a Longglat man, leaving the jumping pole behind, Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Erang Bong and Kwing, two Kayans with a reverse kiang and ajat, two types of carrier baskets. Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

The beating of bark (inside of the ficus), which is used for making clothes, by Kayans on the Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

The Lobang Kubang, a narrowing in the Mahakam River, at low tide, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Mask Dance of Kayan men on the Bloeoe River, Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo, on the occasion of the seed sowing festival. The entire body is covered with frayed Pinang palm leaves. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, September 1, 1896.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Barito Dayak, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, August 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

The erection and support of a pole at the house of Kwing Irang, head of the Kayans on the Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Frame of the house of Kwing Irang, head of the Kayans on the Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Wrestling Kayans on the Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Two men make wood carvings from a tree trunk in the Upper Mahakam. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Front verandah of the House of Kwing Irang, head of the Kayans on the Upper Mahakam. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

The erection and support of a pole at the house of Kwing Irang, head of the Kayan on the Upper Mahakam river in Central Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Hunting station on the Bloeoe River, Upper Mahakam, Middle Borneo). From left to right: the preparation hut, the hut for living, the coolie hut and the kitchen hut. Borneo expedition led by dr. A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1896 and 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Batu Sala, Upper Mahakam, Central Borneo. Left the house of the Longglathoofdman pairs Dalong. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1896 and 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Return of the ambassy of the Lower Mahakam in two boats on the Bloeoe River, Central Borneo. Sitting on the front boot (with topi helmet) Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1896 and 1897.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

House of the Longglat head at Batu Sala, Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1890 and 1904.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Kubu (guesthouse) with defense statue on the road to Tanah Putih in Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1890 and 1904.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Mausoleums of the son (right) and daughter (left) of Bui Dalong, head of the Kenja's Tanah Putih, Upper Mahakam. Borneo expedition led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Tomb of the daughter of Bui Djalong (forground) Kenyah head at Tanah Putih in Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by dr A.W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1890 and 1904.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Hudoq (mask for dancer or priest) and a woman in front of a house in the Apokayan, Borneo. Borneo expedition to Central-Borneo led by Dr. A. W. Nieuwenhuis, between 1898 and 1900.
Demmeni, J.
© KITLV

Bernard Sellato

Bernard Sellato is a geologist (MSc 1973) and anthropologist (PhD 1987), former director (1999-2004) of the Institute of Research on Southeast Asia (IRSEA, now IrASIA) in Marseilles, France, and editor (1999-2008) of the journal Moussons. Social Science Research on Southeast Asia.

He currently is a Senior Researcher (emeritus), Centre Asie du Sud-Est (CNRS, EHESS, INaLCO), PSL Research University, Paris. He published a dozen books, including Hornbill and Dragon. Arts and Cultures of Borneo (1989, 1992), Nomads of the Borneo Rainforest (1989, 1994), and Plaited Arts from the Borneo Rainforest (2012), as well as a large number of articles and book chapters.