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 the upland terrains linking Nepal and the Tibetan plateau with Northeast India, the Pamirs, Western China, and the highland communities of Southeast Asia – a vast, congruous region sometimes referred to as ‘Zomia', or indeed 'Zomia+'