The Nature and Culture of Rattan: Reflections on Vanishing Life in the Forests of Southeast Asia

Stephen F. Siebert

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2012

The Nature and Culture of Rattan

Reflections on Vanishing Life in the Forests of Southeast Asia

Stephen F. Siebert

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824860387

Overview
Contents

About this book

Rattan is the common name for a diverse group of climbing palms found throughout Old World tropical forests. For centuries people have used them for binding, basketry, house construction, food, and numerous other non-market purposes; more recently the canes of some species have been gathered for the multi-billion-dollar furniture, handicraft, and mat-making industries. Thus rattan continues to be vital to the culture and economic well being of millions of cane collectors, laborers, and artisans throughout tropical Asia and Africa. The Nature and Culture of Rattan explores this valuable forest product, the tropical forests on which it depends, and the societies that flourish by using and managing these remarkable plants.

The Nature and Culture of Rattan provides a distinctive and engaging review of rattan and the people whose lives are centered on it. It examines rattan use, biology, human culture, and challenges in tropical field research and conservation through the knowledge of cane workers in three Southeast Asian forest villages where the author lived over a twenty-five-year period. He effectively challenges commonly held views of "slash and burn" farming, rainforest destruction, and population increase while underscoring the myriad forces involved in individual decision-making and social and environmental change. Personal stories and experiences are integrated with scientific information in a manner that will attract nonspecialists as well as students and researchers.

The Nature and Culture of Rattan will be a valuable addition to undergraduate and graduate courses in ecology, anthropology, rural sociology and development, forestry, and natural resource management. A website (www.cfc.umt.edu/rattan) includes additional photographs, suggested reading, and discussion topics.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Foreword Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
1. Rattan and a Changing World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. The Ecology, Diversity, and Climbing Prowess of Rattan Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	7
3. Historical and Current Uses of Rattan Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	21
4. Forest Communities and Rattan Management Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
5. From Forest to Furniture Boutique Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	43
6. Rattan and Household Livelihood Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
7. The History of a Sulawesi Rattan Village Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	58
8. Cane Gathering: Nuisances, Risks, and Pain Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	68
9. Sustainable Harvesting: A Local View Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	79
10. Rattan Cultivation: Rich History, Uncertain Future Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
11. Rattan, Religion, and Family Planning Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	102
12. Conclusion: Daud, Our Sons, and the Future Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	108
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	119
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
About the Author Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	147

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 160
Illustrations
- Other: 24 b&w images, 1 line drawing, 1 map

eBook

Published: January 31, 2012
ISBN: 9780824860387