The Highlander: An Introduction to Highland Asia

Abstract

This is an introduction both of the first volume, and to the Highlander Journal itself, setting out the genealogy of ideas, debates and critiques, principally around the concept 'Zomia', that have fostered significant debate and provided the impetus for this project. It is also a call for contributions toward fostering discussion, from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, that elucidate the similarities and differences, generalities and particularities of the myriad histories, languages, cultures, politics, and religions of primarily ethnic minorities living in Asia's upland terrains – a vast, congruous region sometimes referred to as ‘Zomia', or indeed 'Zomia+'