The Banana Tree at the Gate

By Michael R. Dove,

Book cover of The Banana Tree at the Gate: A History of Marginal Peoples and Global Markets in Borneo

Book description

The "Hikayat Banjar," a native court chronicle from Borneo, characterizes the irresistibility of natural resource wealth to outsiders as "the banana tree at the gate." Michael R. Dove employs this phrase as a root metaphor to frame the history of resource relations between the indigenous peoples of Borneo and the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Banana Tree at the Gate as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book builds on Dove’s longstanding involvement in research on Borneo and his in-depth knowledge of the history of agricultural and nontimber forest products there. His work shows how the people of Borneo have long been involved in international trade, alternately expanding and contracting their attention to rice production as other opportunities (high prices, high demand) wax and wane. His insights contributed to my own research, showing how longstanding and ubiquitous the international involvement I have seen has been.

From Carol's list on Indonesian life and policy.

Want books like The Banana Tree at the Gate?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 66 books like The Banana Tree at the Gate.

Browse books like The Banana Tree at the Gate

Book cover of Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection
Book cover of Land's End: Capitalist Relations on an Indigenous Frontier
Book cover of The Fourth Circle: A Political Ecology of Sumatraas Rainforest Frontier

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Borneo, bananas, and Indonesia?

Borneo 20 books
Bananas 10 books
Indonesia 39 books