All the images (photographic and non-photographic) made available in this collection are the property of the Basel Mission and are managed by mission 21. mission 21 / Basel Mission claim copyright on the images in their possession and require those publishing any of the images--both individuals and organisations--to pay a user's/copyright fee. Contact the Archives of mission21 at address mentioned or at info@bmpix.org. info@bmarchives.org mission21 mission21, Missionsstrasse 21, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland, tel. (+41 61 260 22 42), fax (+4161 260 22 68)
Description
Annotation translation: "Only Dajaks and Chinese know how to [or perhaps: "are allowed to"] catch huge snakes and prepare their skin. Muslims are forbidden to touch such unclean animals. Here a chinese has killed a huge snake with tobacco (i.e. by stuffing it into its mouth) and hopes to receive about 15 Dutch Guilders for it. Catching large snakes is often very dangerous. People catch them with folding nets, or even with their bare hands. Selling snake skin has brought many a dayak substantial sums of money. But the trade is disadvantageious for agriculture, since rats and mice increase rapidly if their main predator, the snakes have been decimated." Annotation: "Nur Dajak und Chinesen können Riesenschlangen fangen & die Häute preparieren. Für die Mohamedaner ist es verboten, die unreinen Tiere anzurühren. Hier hat ein Chinese eine Riesenschlange mit Tabak getötet (in's Maul gestopft) & hofft für die Haut etwa 15.-holl. Gulden zu erlangen. Der Fang der Riesenschlangen ist oft sehr gefährlich & geschieht mit Klappnetzen oder einfach mit der Hand. Der Handel mit Schlangenhäuten hat manchem Dajak grossen Gewinn gebracht. Die Landwirtschaft hat den Nachteil, da sich Mäuse & Ratten rasend vermehrten, weil ihr grösster Feind, die Riesenschlange, vernichtet wurde." Stamped: "Museum der Basler Mission Basel, Missionsstrasse 21."
Type
image
Format
b/w positive, paper print, gelatin-silver 8.8 x 11.8 cm.
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