Author: DEANE, S. [S. HORSLEY],
Title: Ambon. Island of Spices. First edn.
Description: London, Murray, 1979. Orig. cloth, title in gilt on spine, dustjacket., 222pp. Some text-ills. after drawings, double-p. sketch-map of the Indonesian Archipelago, glossary indonesian/moluccan words and expressions-english, table of contents. Account of the author's life & work on Ambon, where she taught English for a number of years (c. 1972). The description of everyday life, the work at the university & travels, a.o. to moluccan islands Saparua & Banda, contain information on several aspects of Ambonese society, such as housing & food, life, death, magic & superstition, kinship & marriage, the pela bonds, the position of women, & Protestantism. Many examples are given of adat survivals & of the conflicting stresses arising in a community in a period of change. Very good copy. (lower right corner of front inner flap of dustjacket clipped, mame of previous owner on recte of f.e.p., signed dedication, NOT by author in upper right corner of ti.-p.).

Keywords: ambon moluccas banda saparua history life death society marriage pela social structure culture acculturisation community conflict sociology indonesia southeast asia