Agrarian Transformation in the Uplands of Sarawak
by R. A. Cramb
- Published: 2007
- Pages: 436 pp.
- illustrated
- Series: NIAS Monographs
- Series number: 110
About the book
This book examines the process of agrarian transformation in the uplands of Southeast Asia through a study of the Saribas Iban of Sarawak. Combining in-depth village studies with historical and comparative analysis, the book demonstrates that the Iban have been active agents in their own transformation, engaging with both market and state while retaining community values and governance.
This book examines the role of community, market and state in the historic transformation of upland livelihoods in Southeast Asia. Focusing on the Saribas Iban of Sarawak, the book combines in-depth, generation-long village case studies with an account of changes in land use and tenure at the regional level spanning a century and a half. This analysis demonstrates that, far from being passive victims of globalization, the Iban have been active agents in their own transformation, engaging with both market and state while retaining community values and governance.
Dr Cramb makes a significant new contribution to debates about economic, social and environmental change and conflict in upland Southeast Asia. His book offers a fascinating, empirically rich account of interest to scholars, development practitioners and the general reader alike.
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Reviews
"… this study is certain to become a majo
"… this study is certain to become a major reference point for future work on land use, tenure, and agrarian change in upland Southeast Asia"
"Rob Cramb has written an excellent book with a
"Rob Cramb has written an excellent book with a much needed longitudinal perspective on agrarian change. The book is an important contribution to the urgent need for understanding the dynamics and consequences – both environmental and social – of upland transformation in Southeast Asia."
"Rob Cramb’s study raises provocative ques
"Rob Cramb’s study raises provocative questions about Iban society, the nature of the Southeast Asian uplands, and agrarian history. He presents a work distinguished by the depth of its scholarship and the breadth of the questions addressed by it."
"Land and Longhouse by Robert Cramb is not a book that romantizes the lives of the indigenous communities in Sarawak, Malaysia, in light of modernization and development. Rather, it is a vigorous study of the historic transformation of the Iban, the largest ethnic group in Sarawak, and of their system of agricultural practices over a period of one hundred and fifty years.
"Land and Longhouse by Robert Cramb is not a book that romantizes the lives of the indigenous communities in Sarawak, Malaysia, in light of modernization and development. Rather, it is a vigorous study of the historic transformation of the Iban, the largest ethnic group in Sarawak, and of their system of agricultural practices over a period of one hundred and fifty years.
…this publication provides invaluable information for researchers and policymakers interested in commercial agricultural development and its implications on indigenous communities from a political economy perspective. Cramb presents a clear discussion of the issues involved, the impact on the Saibas Iban of modernization and development over several decades, and how their community has transformed over time. Cramb also provides invaluable insights into how agricultural transformation endeavours should be approached in order to minimize the attendant conflicts and tensions associated with developing lands for commercial agriculture."
In assembling with rare balance a rich quantity of empirical material and analyzing it with exemplary insight, Cramb has not only produced a definitive text on a key geographical and cultural domain of the Southeast Asian realm, but also contributed immensely to the ongoing debate about ‘development’.
In assembling with rare balance a rich quantity of empirical material and analyzing it with exemplary insight, Cramb has not only produced a definitive text on a key geographical and cultural domain of the Southeast Asian realm, but also contributed immensely to the ongoing debate about ‘development’. Land and Longhouse can be considered a masterpiece, the magnum opus of a long distance researcher.
“…an admirable overview of agriculture change in one upland region in the Saribas District…”
“…an admirable overview of agriculture change in one upland region in the Saribas District…”
“…a detailed and extremely valuable book on the history of agricultural land use and land tenure among the Iban of Sarawak, focusing on case studies from the Saribas area.”
“…a detailed and extremely valuable book on the history of agricultural land use and land tenure among the Iban of Sarawak, focusing on case studies from the Saribas area.”
“While the geographic focus of this book is tight, its temporal scale is expansive, and the depth of its research is immense.” ” Among the highlights is the use of specific cases concerning land disp
“While the geographic focus of this book is tight, its temporal scale is expansive, and the depth of its research is immense.” ” Among the highlights is the use of specific cases concerning land disputes heard by the local courts from Brooke times to almost the present. These add an immediacy and specificity to the analysis and make it “personal.” It is only one of the several aspects of this excellent book that make it stand above many others.”
“…an impressive scholarly work that pulses with the life of the Iban people [..] of Borneo.”
"…this book breathes."
“…an impressive scholarly work that pulses with the life of the Iban people [..] of Borneo.”
"…this book breathes."