Hmong/Miao in Asia

Edited by Nicholas Tapp, Jean Michaud, Christian Culas, and Gary Yia Lee

This volume contains the most comprehensive collection of research on Hmong culture and life in Asia yet to be published. It compliments the abundant material on the Hmong diaspora by focusing instead on the Hmong in their Asian homelands, the countries sharing the mainland Southeast Asian massif. Arising from a conference originally held in France in 1998, the papers have all been revised and rewritten for publication. They represent extensive fieldwork by scholars from a number of different backgrounds with a deep knowledge of Hmong society and culture, including several Hmong. The collection is divided into two parts. The first addresses the fabric of Hmong culture by considering issues of history, language, and identity among the Hmong/Miao from Laos to China. The second part introduces the challenges faced by the Hmong in contemporary Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

This book is an invaluable resource for all those interested in the Hmong. Its subject is highly relevant to both undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers interested in identity, development and social change among the upland minorities in Southeast and East Asia.

N. TAPP is Senior Fellow in Anthropology at the Australian National University.J. MICHAUD is Associate Researcher with the Chair of Asian Studies at Universite de Montreal. C. CULAS is a Member of the National Center for Scientific Research in Marseille. GARY LEE is Senior Ethnic Liaison Officer in the New South Wales government.