Overview

Animals assume a cultural importance throughout Asia. Tigers, monkeys, wild pigs and other animals feature in Asian proverbs, myths, religion, art and literature, while in many parts of Asia great cultural emphasis is placed on wild animals as a source of natural energy and health-giving vitality. But animals are also seen as a threat, both to human livelihoods and to human safety. Wildlife in Asia provides a rich and diverse collection of case studies of human representations of, and relationships with wild animals in Asia. Drawing on anthropological and historical data, this book examines human-wildlife relations in China, Tibet, Japan, Bhutan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Thailand and Vietnam. The volume initially focuses on the various ways in which wild animals are exploited as a resource, for food, medicine and crop-picking labour, before examining animals termed as pests or predators that are deemed to be harmful and dangerous. Bringing together anthropologists and historians, this book analyses the range, variability and historical mutability of human sensibilities towards animals in Asia and will be of interest to Asianists and anthropologists a

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9780700713325

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'The reader who instantly tenses at the words 'conference volume' can be reassured; all the papers are data-rich, detailed, well thought out, and balanced. In fact, rarely has a book about the anthropology of environmental management packed more data into so little space.' - The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'This book affords an accessible and broad perspective on wildlife in Asia, going well beyond just a single species of interest...At a time when much of the world is taking a fresh look toward Asia, this book offers varied perspectives on wildlife in Asian countries.' - Anthrozoos

<p>'The reader who instantly tenses at the words 'conference volume' can be reassured; all the papers are data-rich, detailed, well thought out, and balanced. In fact, rarely has a book about the anthropology of environmental management packed more data into so little space.' - The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute<p>'This book affords an accessible and broad perspective on wildlife in Asia, going well beyond just a single species of interest...At a time when much of the world is taking a fresh look toward Asia, this book offers varied perspectives on wildlife in Asian countries.' - Anthrozoos

Author Information

John Knight is Lecturer at the School of Anthropological Studies, Queen's University Belfast and a former Research Fellow at the International Institute for Asian Studies, The Netherlands.

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