When this book was first published in 1937 the world knew Covarrubias as a brilliant painter and caricaturist, but his friends knew him also as an intelligent traveller and serious student of 'primitive life'. Both sides of his character were responsible for this book - which has come to be regarded as classic - on the Balinese people and their civilization. Only an artist could have penetrated so deeply into the spirit of the dance, theatre, music, handicrafts and sports of Bali; and only a man of learning in anthropology could have understood and recorded so accurately its religion, sexual customs, family life and economic and political organization. Written with remarkable freshness and vigour, charming as well as factual, this is surely one of the finest books on strange and distant lands.
Beginning with a picture of Bali as the casual tourist sees it compared with what it actually is, Covarrubias proceeds to describe the geography and nature of the island and then to relate the history of the race. This is followed by a thorough account of the community, the family and the individual in all spheres of thought, emotion and behaviour. Here the reader will find really unique chapters on the arts, festivals and rituals.

15.5cm x 23.5cm, 417 pages, Softcover, 1986 (Condition: Very Good)

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