Pride and Progress: Kajang Response to Economic Change.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Pride and Progress: Kajang Response to Economic Change. |
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Author :
Ida Nicolaisen |
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Abstract:
Ever since the many ethnic groups of the Belaga District in the present 7th Division of Sarawak were brought into more regular contact with the industrial world, through the establishment of Brooke Rule in 1863, their reactions to change have intrigued government officers. Former Brooke and British administrators found that especially the so-called Kajang peoples responded unfavorably to incentives to alter their economic behaviour. Hugh Low noted already in 1882 that: “it is a question if anything can ever be done to develop these people... they have had opportunities in abundance to improve their condition by trade, work, & c. There is not sufficient warmth in their nature and no spur or reasoning seems to move their sluggish system”, (Low: 1882a). Although few civil servants express themselves as bluntly today, their reactions are generally quite similar. They find the outlook of these people tradition-bound, their behaviour and reactions incomprehensible. These views are exemplifiedon the basis of experiences from the work, which brings the officers into contact with the groups. Agricultural officers claim that the Kajang farm less well than the Kayan, Kenyah and Iban of the Division; that agricultural schemes offered to these people are either not implemented because initial requirements fail to be met, or if they are, then the majority later turn out failures due to neglect. A capable agricultural officer, with experience from earlier work among the Bidayuh and Iban, declared in despair that he had to give up with the Kajang groups. Though as an A.O. he had faced many difficulties and had many disappointments, at least minor progress had been achieved among other groups he had worked with. But after several years of intense effort, he could see no improvements whatsoever in the agricultural performance of the Kajang. They were just a lazy lot in his opinion. Civil development officers paint as discouraging a picture. They find the Kajang less oriented towards minor rural projects, and having difficulties with the implementation. Not to mention that material provided often turns out to be missing when needed. Officers from other departments join the chorus. Several concluded that: “the Kajang are just spoiled by the Government”. Such allegations, which I have heard repeated over and over again during the last ten years by various officers in Belaga, cainnot be dismissed.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Nicolaisen. (1986). Pride and Progress: Kajang Response to Economic Change. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XXXVI (57): 75-116 |
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References
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