Living in the Stone Age: Reflections on the Origins of a Colonial Fantasy

Name: Living in the Stone Age: Reflections on the Origins of a Colonial Fantasy
Price: 29.00 USD
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Book Synopsis: In 1961, John F. Kennedy referred to the Papuans as “living, as it were, in the Stone Age.” For the most part, politicians and scholars have since learned not to call people “primitive,” but when it comes to the Papuans, the Stone-Age stain persists and for decades has been used to justify denying their basic rights. Why has this fantasy held such a tight grip on the imagination of journalists, policy-makers, and the public at large? Living in the Stone Age answers this question by following the adventures of officials sent to the New Guinea highlands in the 1930s to establish a foothold for Dutch colonialism. These officials became deeply dependent on the good graces of their would-be Papuan subjects, who were their hosts, guides, and, in some cases, friends. Danilyn Rutherford shows how, to preserve their sense of racial superiority, these officials imagined that they were traveling in the Stone Age—a parallel reality where their own impotence was a reasonable response to otherworldly conditions rather than a sign of ignorance or weakness. Thus, Rutherford shows, was born a colonialist ideology. Living in the Stone Age is a call to write the history of colonialism differently, as a tale of weakness not strength. It will change the way readers think about cultural contact, colonial fantasies of domination, and the role of anthropology in the postcolonial world.

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Have you ever wondered why some colonial fantasies still persist in modern society? Discover the answer in "Living in the Stone Age: Reflections on the Origins of a Colonial Fantasy." This thought-provoking book delves into the deep-rooted myth that the Papuans, a group of indigenous people, were living in a primitive age. Explore how this fantasy has been used to deny their basic rights, and why it continues to captivate the minds of journalists, policy-makers, and the public at large.

With "Living in the Stone Age," author Danilyn Rutherford takes readers on a captivating journey back to the 1930s, where Dutch colonial officials venture into the New Guinea highlands to establish their dominance. These officials find themselves dependent on the Papuans for survival, turning them into hosts, guides, and even friends. As Rutherford uncovers their perspective, it becomes clear that the notion of a Stone Age existence was a convenient way for these officials to preserve their sense of racial superiority while masking their own lack of knowledge and power.

In this paradigm-shifting narrative, "Living in the Stone Age" challenges us to rethink the history of colonialism. It urges us to see weakness, not strength, as the driving force behind these encounters. By shedding light on the truth, Rutherford encourages a new understanding of cultural contact, the colonial desire for dominance, and the role of anthropology in today's postcolonial world.

If you're ready to explore the misconceptions that have shaped our understanding of the world, "Living in the Stone Age" is the perfect guide. Embrace the opportunity to change your perspective and gain a new appreciation for the complexities of colonialism. Join us on this enlightening journey by ordering your copy today!

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