The Tapu of Banderah 1901

"The Tapu of Banderah" by Louis Becke is a novel that was written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the South Seas, the story revolves around the tensions between different cultures, primarily focusing on the interactions between European traders and the indigenous peoples of Melanesia. The tale delves into themes of betrayal, trust, and cultural conflict, centering on crucial moments of moral dilemma faced by various characters. In this gripping narrative, the arrival of the yacht "Starlight" on the island of Mayou triggers a series of events that reveal deep-seated animosities and treacheries among the white traders, as well as their deceitful dealings with the local natives. The chief, Banderah, seeks revenge on Captain Bilker, a former blackbirder who had previously wronged him. As conspiracies unfold, a deadly plot emerges to eliminate unscrupulous characters from both the white trading community and the natives. The desperate struggle for survival ultimately intertwines the fates of the white missionary Deighton, his wife, and Blount, a wary trader, against the backdrop of colonial greed and savage revenge. The tension escalates to a shocking climax, exposing the fragility of civilization in the face of raw human instinct and betrayal. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Lewis Becke was at the turn of the nineteenth century, the most prolific, significant, and internationally renowned Australian-born writer of the South Pacific region. Having lived and worked among Pacific Islands and Islanders as a trader, ship's supercargo, and villager for some two decades, learning languages and observing natural and cultural life, Becke was prompted by J F Archibald of The Bulletin to write down his experiences, eventually becoming a popular and respected author of short stories, novellas, novels, as well as historic and ethnographic works.