Anthropos: Rice, Death, and Chiefly Power in Central Borneo.

Anthropos: Rice, Death, and Chiefly Power in Central Borneo. The article concerns a description found in an early account ofCentral Borneo of a "rice dance" among the Kayan people, basedon observations made in 1896. This ritual is analyzed mainly as imageryenacted according to an iconic code. It explores a symbolism ofevocative displays of meaning largely beyond language, making manifestother possible worlds. The celebration was connected with the sowing ofrice in swiddens. At this time, the Kayan chieftaincy displayed, in aseries of tableaux vivant, an imaginary narration of rice and divinelyinspired authority as related to political power. A chief of divinedescent initiated the sowing, and it was in his power to bring togetherthe forces of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld into unity to bless thesowing and ensure the growing of rice. Finally, the article offers somebrief comparative remarks in the wider Southeast Asian context, andpoints to similarities found in the construction of imagery of politicalrituals [author]. 105:393-410.