Indonesian sea nomads
Subtitle: money, magic, and fear of the Orang Suku Laut
By: Cynthia Chou.
Series: RoutledgeCurzon--IIAS Asian studies series
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2002
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 176
Subjects: Bajau (Southeast Asian people) -- Ethnic identity.; Bajau (Southeast Asian people) -- Economic conditions.; Bajau (Southeast Asian people) -- Psychology.; Ethnopsychology -- Indonesia -- Riau (Province); Money -- Social aspects -- Indonesia -- Riau (Province); Muslims -- Indonesia -- Riau (Province); Riau (Indonesia : Province) -- Social life and customs.
Description: "The Orang Suku Laut consider themselves indigenous Malays. Yet their interaction with others who call themselves Malays is characterised on both sides by fear of harmful magic and witchcraft. The nomadic Orang Suku Laut believe that the Qur'an contains elements of black magic, while the settled Malays consider the nomads dangerous, dirty and backward.

At the centre of this study, based on first hand anthropological data, is the symbolism of money and the powerful influence it has on social relationships within the Riau archipelago.".

"The first major publication on these maritime nomadic communities, the book adds fresh perspectives to anthropological debates on exchange systems, tribality, and hierarchy. It also characterises the different ways of being Malay in the region and challenges the prevailing tendency to equate Malay identity with the Islamic faith."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes index.