Wild Partners

Name: Wild Partners
Price: 43.23 AUD
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ISBN: 9781760467159

Indigenous Worlds and Industrial Giants in Papua New Guinea

Patrick Guinness

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English

ANU Press
19 February 2026

Industrialisation & industrial history; Social & cultural anthropology

Series: Monographs in Anthropology

Summary
Details

Wild Partners traces the history of the Maututu Nakanai of West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. According to a Maututu ontology, or worldview, they are surrounded by a forest filled with threatening wild forces. It is believed that outstanding men and women pioneer ways to engage these forces to bring benefit to their village community. In recent times, the Maututu have had to engage with human outsiders, including government officers, church administrators, industrial managers and migrant settlers, who like their mythological counterparts have threatened to disrupt the established world.

This study captures Maututu approaches to the threats and challenges they have faced over the last hundred years—the proclamation of the Christian world, the dislocation of the Pacific war, the development programs of the colonial and independent governments and the industrial expansion of oil palm. The challenges have at times threatened the very essence of their being through the destruction of forests, loss of land, competition for schooling and health care, marginalisation within the oil palm industry and the emergence of 'big shot' individuals who ignore community obligations.

Maututu have adapted to these threats, becoming successful oil palm producers and prominent professionals throughout Papua New Guinea while seeking to rejuvenate Christianity, protect forest and marine environments and build partnerships that benefit their village communities. Central to these efforts has been partnership with outside forces.

By: Patrick Guinness
Imprint: ANU Press
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 399g
ISBN: 9781760467159
ISBN 10: 1760467154
Series: Monographs in Anthropology
Pages: 284
Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active