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Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
The Sacred Monkeys of Bali is a unique, well-researched book about
the long-tailed macaques of Bali and how the Balinese integrate these sacred
monkeys into their worldview. Unique because it is the first time a primatologist
has incorporated the human element into research, this short volume clearly
records precise analysis of long-tailed macaque behavior and then describes
corresponding alterations in human behavior caused by the presence of the
monkeys. This juxtaposition of human culture and monkey culture--of human
primates and nonhuman primates--demonstrates that habitats where humans
live together with monkeys actually may be more harmonious than they are
disruptive. In brilliant chapters on the history and aesthetics of Bali,
Wheatley shows how the island's art is part of its religious lore and practices.
The chapter on the social behavior of the long- tailed macaques at the
Monkey Forest at Padangtegal contains entirely new information on the species,
including aspects of their dominance behavior, appeal- aggression, vocalizations,
and intertroop behavior. In addition, the book extends beyond the field
of anthropology to include such topics as conservation, ecology, and tourism.
This is a profound, mature study of a land that is developing and a tradition
of worship that struggles to adapt and stay strong. It is a wonderful illustration
of how anthropologists can work together with local people for the welfare
of all the local people, the animals, and the forest. |