Description
Book SynopsisThe Peoples of Southeast Asia Today offers an anthropological treatment of the ethnography and ethnology of Southeast Asia, covering both the mainland and the insular regions. Based on the proposition that Southeast Asia is a true culture area, the book offers background information on geography, languages, prehistory and history, with a particular emphasis on the role of colonialism and the development of ethnic pluralism. It then turns to classic anthropological topics of interest including modes of adaptation, ways of life, and religion, all illustrated with relevant case studies and all brought up to date to show what is happening now. Students will find well-supported discussions of subjects ranging from the development of agriculture and language dispersals, to fantasy and reality in hunter-gatherer studies, to disputed interpretations of Thai Buddhism and Javanese Islam, to ongoing government efforts to manage religion, create proper citizens, resettle and assimilate indigenous
Trade ReviewRobert Winzeler has written a balanced, intelligent, and refreshing book on the anthropology of Southeast Asia. The sensitivity shown on minority issues and non-urban populations is laudable. -- Jean Michaud, Université Laval
Southeast Asia is a remarkably diverse region: geographically, of mountains and lowlands, coasts and interior; ecologically, of hunters/gatherers, swidden cultivators, agriculturalists, and city dwellers; religiously, of multiple indigenous practices coexisting with the world's largest formal religions--Buddhism, Christianity (both Catholic and Protestant), Islam, and Hinduism. Winzeler (emer., anthropology, Univ. of Nevada, Reno) captures all of this in his remarkably inclusive book, a rare and very useful attempt to encompass the complete region, both the northern mainland and the southern islands. He succeeds by simultaneously sketching the region and the anthropological efforts to understand it, alternating broad-brush generalization with focused case example. This is a book, then, that is valuable as a resource both on the region and on how people have tried to understand it. Although the book as a whole is an essential reference, the three chapters that outline the range of religious beliefs and practices (including the difficult subject of conversion) deserve particular note for their insight and balance. Winzeler also provides a thoughtful review, pro and con, of tourism. * CHOICE *
This is a handy introduction to the region and peoples of Southeast Asia from an anthropological perspective which will appeal to undergraduate students as well as to those working in the development field. The author adopts a robust approach to questions of the integrity of the region, urging readers not to be unduly concerned with such issues, since all regions are imaginatively constructed There is no doubt that his knowledge of the region is profound and sympathetic, and the book’s gentle, authoritative expository tone will appeal to many. * Journal Of The Royal Anthropological Institute *
Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Prehistory and Languages Chapter 3. Early States, Prehistory, and Colonialism Chapter 4. Ethnic Complexity in Modern Southeast Asia Chapter 5. Hunter-Gatherers, Real and Imagined Chapter 6. Swidden Farmers Chapter 7. Peasant Farmers and their Transformations Chapter 8. Indigenous Religions Chapter 9. Religion, Society, and the State Chapter 10. Religious Conversion on the Ethnic Margins Chapter 11. Tourism and Local Peoples Chapter 12. Development for Better or Worse Chapter 13 Bibliography
