Material Cultures in Southeast Asia

Know about the book -

Material Cultures in Southeast Asia is written by Sabine Chaouche and published by Taylor & Francis. It's available with International Standard Book Number or ISBN identification 1040363490 (ISBN 10) and 9781040363492 (ISBN 13).

This book investigates everyday objects in Southeast Asia as integral forms of cultural heritage, examining their functions, significance, and the diverse values and emotions they have embodied over time. By foregrounding material culture, the chapters delve into how these objects—ranging from utilitarian tools to artefacts of personal and communal identity—reveal the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of life across different historical periods. Through rigorous case studies spanning various regions of Southeast Asia, the book offers fresh insights into the interplay between materiality and cultures. It underscores how objects function not merely as remnants of the past but as dynamic carriers of heritage that continue to shape contemporary society. By bridging perspectives from anthropology, history, and cultural studies, this book enhances our comprehension of the region’s intricate social landscapes and contributes to broader discourses on heritage preservation and curation, the transmission of cultural values, and the ways in which everyday objects serve as conduits for collective memory and identity. Ultimately, it facilitates the de-centring of Western perspectives in research on Southeast Asia. Material Cultures in Southeast Asia provides a better understanding of past and present societies in Southeast Asia, and it will be of interest to researchers in the fields of Southeast Asian studies, memory studies, and heritage studies.