Nias – ostrov předků a mýtů / The Island of Ancestors and Myths

Pavel Durdík's collection from the island of Nias has been processed as part of the academic research programme entitled "Personalities of Czech science and culture" (MK 00002327202). Durdík, a Czech doctor in the services of the Dutch army, created an exceptional collection. He became thoroughly acquainted with the lives of the local people, and was thus able to create a collection that is truly representative of both the everyday and ritual lives of Niasans of the period. The authors created a complete catalogue of the collection, divided thematically. These themes represent the whole range of the islanders' activities in 1881–2, the years in which Durdík worked there. It is the first time the collection has been processed in its entirety.