Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf (1909–1995)

The wonderful tale of a young anthropologist who lived amongst the Naga (of old Burma's frontier areas) for a year pre-WW2. I doubt there's a more readable, enjoyable, yet informative book on the Nagas that combines first-person biography with anthropologic, cultural, and geographical details in such an engaging manner.

Although highly feared (and indeed, the author at one point does literally have to fun for his life from neighboring hostile tribes, carrying a bag of skulls he has 'liberated' from them), the author reveals aspects of Naga life in the communities in which he lived that can stand as standards for any community. Just one insight of Naga tribal life that explains the importance of community feasts: "Social prestige [is not gained] by merely possessing wealth, but only by spending it for the benefit of the community" (p. 52).

Although somewhat grisly in parts, anyone age 12 or older would enjoy this wonderful tale of how Naga life once was. (I recently visited a Naga village on the western border of Burma, now Christian converts, and was saddened by how many of the old cultural identity markers--textiles and ornaments in particular--had disappeared compared to the world experienced and photographed by Von Furer-Haimendorf).… (mehr)