A review of the ethnological investigations in the Dutch Indian archipelago / by J.C. van Eerde.

  • Eerde, J. C. van (Johan Christiaan), 1871-1936.
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A review of the ethnological investigations in the Dutch Indian archipelago / by J.C. van Eerde. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/36 (page 16)
    Not only therefore did this scholar write on Mecca (1888 — 1889), the feast of Mecca (1880), Islam (1886), the Mahdi (1886), Arabian Proverbs (1886, 1891), but in connection with this review we must especially emphasise his publication of a standard work, very important from an ethnographic point of view, entitled “De Atjèhers” (1893-94), of which an English translation appeared in 1906, “The Achenese”. This work was not only important as an ethnography of the people of Acheh, it also shed a new light on a large part of Indonesian ethnology in general, and especially on the Indonesian practice of Moslim institu¬ tions and ideas. It moreover became the basis of a policy towards unruly Acheh, which led to the pacification of that country. Another work: “Het Gajo-land en zijn bewoners” (1903) (The Gajo country and its inhabitants) and a series of lectures (Holland and Islam 1915, Moham¬ medanism 1916) furnished further proof of the close connection existing ].)etween the mode and the extent of the reception of Islam on the one hand, and the ethnological peculiarities and level of civilisation on the other hand, as illustrated by a given people. Section 7. There is perhaps no other region in the world where the conditions for scientific expeditions are so favourable as in the Dutch Indian Archipelago. In the first place, the literature on the various islands of the Archipelago is very extensive, so that preliminary studies can be made which form a sound basis for continued investigation on the spot. In the second place, because the Indian Government is accustomed to assist scientific investigators as much as possible. Especially for ethnographical studies the Archipelago satisfies many conditions necessary for obtaining good results. The island population of this extensive region can almost always be reached by sea, and it is only on the larger islands that difficulties of exploration arise which characterise continental expeditions. Moreover the insular character of Dutch India brings about that ethnological types and civilisations preserve their pecu¬ liarities for a long time, or that civilisation assets which elsewhere were crowded out, found a safe shelter in one or more of these islands. The mutual hostility on many islands and local vendette led further to a great diversity of customs, ideas and social institutions. Thus a motley expression of civilisation presents itself and has made Dutch India a most interesting museum of various cultural types. The more easily this museum became accessible, the greater was its number of interested visitors, coming not from Holland only. A few of the principal voyages of exploration and the results which they have yielded will be mentioned here. The Moluccas