"Overall, this volume provides a wealth of ethnographic detail on the role of ancestors in Borneo societies. The evidence makes a strong case for the importance of ancestors, in various forms, in the ritual lives of several Borneo societies."

"Overall, this volume provides a wealth of ethnographic detail on the role of ancestors in Borneo societies. The evidence makes a strong case for the importance of ancestors, in various forms, in the ritual lives of several Borneo societies."

"Each chapter is a mini-treaty detailing, analysing and comparing a version of ancestry, examining a very large amount of facts, practices and representations, providing a wide range of precise and clearly presented data. The authors are all experienced field ethnologists.

"Each chapter is a mini-treaty detailing, analysing and comparing a version of ancestry, examining a very large amount of facts, practices and representations, providing a wide range of precise and clearly presented data. The authors are all experienced field ethnologists.

The editorial work obeys the law of juxtaposing texts which unify the overall theme and proximity of cultures considered, not to a theory or school of thought. Each author interprets freely, but also looks to the work of his colleagues to verify that the interpretation remains within an acceptable conceptual framework and in the heart of the current debate." (Translated from French)

"The originality of this volume lies in its introduction to the analytical concept of ancestorship…this volume details a multiplicity of circumstances in which each category of ancestors may manifest its potency or power.

"The originality of this volume lies in its introduction to the analytical concept of ancestorship…this volume details a multiplicity of circumstances in which each category of ancestors may manifest its potency or power.

…Ancestors in Borneo Societies is certainly a most resourceful contribution, one that invites a serious consideration of the concept of ancestorship in the anthropology of death."

"There is not a dull paper in the collection. At the conclusion of this volume, one has a sense that the distinct papers in this collection have knitted together well with one another to produce a coherent volume with a cogent presentation.

A single reading is insuficcient to do justice to the ethnographic richness that this volume offers."

"There is not a dull paper in the collection. At the conclusion of this volume, one has a sense that the distinct papers in this collection have knitted together well with one another to produce a coherent volume with a cogent presentation.

A single reading is insuficcient to do justice to the ethnographic richness that this volume offers."

"…we are offered the no less high-powered collection…dedicated to reaching out beyond the relative fixation of the Hertzian theory of death on mortuary rites and the conclusive journeys which begin there, towards an interest in ancestors in an ongoing, benevolent or authoritative/advisory capacity for the living in Borneo societies…

"…we are offered the no less high-powered collection…dedicated to reaching out beyond the relative fixation of the Hertzian theory of death on mortuary rites and the conclusive journeys which begin there, towards an interest in ancestors in an ongoing, benevolent or authoritative/advisory capacity for the living in Borneo societies…

…readers of more ethnographic than anthropological inclination are treated to eight studies whose titles convey a valid impression of delights in store…"

"…a valuable contribution to understanding the religious and social significance of ancestors in the world’s third largest island…a book of this nature and focus is long overdue and it will no doubt stimulate further studies on ancestors in other Borneo societies and the Austronesian-speaking world as a whole…Its rich ethnographic data allows for much wider comparative studies on anc

"…a valuable contribution to understanding the religious and social significance of ancestors in the world’s third largest island…a book of this nature and focus is long overdue and it will no doubt stimulate further studies on ancestors in other Borneo societies and the Austronesian-speaking world as a whole…Its rich ethnographic data allows for much wider comparative studies on ancestorship with other parts of the world."

"All the contributions are excellent; furthermore, the authors approach the topic in a coherent manner in providing detailed ethnographic information.

…I have found this book to be consistently fascinating and thought-provoking."

"All the contributions are excellent; furthermore, the authors approach the topic in a coherent manner in providing detailed ethnographic information.

…I have found this book to be consistently fascinating and thought-provoking."

"This volume is full of good ethnography. It makes an important contribution to Borneo Studies, Southeast Asian Studies and to the general field of anthropology. Unlike some edited books it has a welcome degree of coherence in its discussions and subject matter.

"This volume is full of good ethnography. It makes an important contribution to Borneo Studies, Southeast Asian Studies and to the general field of anthropology. Unlike some edited books it has a welcome degree of coherence in its discussions and subject matter.

…I am convinced that Couderc and Sillander’s volume will become a valuable sourcebook which will be widely consulted and debated."

"… the editors present a challenging picture of Bornean ancestorship, its pervasive aspects being revealed in the frame of the Dayak societies’ ritual and belief.

"… the editors present a challenging picture of Bornean ancestorship, its pervasive aspects being revealed in the frame of the Dayak societies’ ritual and belief.

… Each contributor develops an analytical model in assessing the ancestral configurations in the beliefs and social practices, along the lines defined in the introduction. It gives the volume a strong coherence from one article to the other.

… The volume published by NIAS Press is nicely designed, with a pleasant lay-out and illustrated by B/W photographs reproduced with a very good quality. A useful thematic index lists vernacular words (rituals, notions, artifacts, personal names, ethnonyms…) and anthropological concepts. […] The bibliography follows each contribution, making it easier for cross-checking the references in the main text and footnotes.

… In short, this intellectually fascinating book will become a landmark in Borneo studies and, more generally a major reference in the anthropology of ritual and religion in Southeast Asia and the Austronesian World."

"On the whole, this collection bodes well for the future of Borneanist scholarship – a field which has had its anaemic moments in recent years.

[…]this book makes absorbing and intelligent reading, and will be a welcome addition to Austronesian ethnography and anthropology at large."

"On the whole, this collection bodes well for the future of Borneanist scholarship – a field which has had its anaemic moments in recent years.

[…]this book makes absorbing and intelligent reading, and will be a welcome addition to Austronesian ethnography and anthropology at large."