Cambodia’s 15th century is nearly a blank page: no inscriptions, insignificant architecture, largely fictional chronicles, and little information in the records of other countries. But we may assume that processes similar to what may be ascertained in other parts of Southeast Asia were at work: changes in state formation, shift of political centers, growth of …
WPS 27 Cambodia and its Neighbors in the 15th Century Read More »
The Singaporean film Forever Fever projects a particular representation of Asian (read: Singaporean Chinese) masculinity that is as comfortable in its hybrid localized global identity as Singlish uniquely captures the grassroots national identity. Using Kam Louie’s model of ideal Chinese masculinities symbolized by the wen scholar and the more physical-oriented wu male, this paper argues …
All over the world today, indigenous peoples still face acute discrimination on their own native soils. While South-east Asian States ride the waves of globalisation and modernisation, indigenous peoples are increasingly nudged onto the periphery of modern society as they are stripped of their land by the advance of State developmental policies. The international community’s …
There has been intense scholars’ concern in the social impact of new information communication technologies (ICTs) from the early 1990s. Foremost among these is the idea of the Internet’s democratizing potential, which is supposed to revitalize the public sphere and improve participatory democracy. Many proponents of this idea are western democracy enthusiasts who believe that …
Arguments have been made for structural forces and religion as key factors in explaining for why fertility rates among Malays supercede that of Chinese and Indians in Malaysia. Such arguments, however, fail to highlight the role of culture in determining fertility. Bringing culture into the forefront in an analysis of fertility trends forms the nub …
This paper is a study of the history of colonial archaeology in French Indochina. The formal study of archaeology began in December 1898 when the Governor-General, Paul Doumer, established the Mission Archéologique d’Indochine in Sàigòn, which was later reconstituted to form the École Française d’Extrême-Orient. In 1901, the first Bulletin de l’ École Française d’Extrême-Orient …
WPS 22 Cosmopolis and Nation in Central Southeast Asia Read More »
This paper is a study of the history of colonial archaeology in French Indochina. The formal study of archaeology began in December 1898 when the Governor-General, Paul Doumer, established the Mission Archéologique d’Indochine in Sàigòn, which was later reconstituted to form the École Française d’Extrême-Orient. In 1901, the first Bulletin de l’ École Française d’Extrême-Orient …
WPS 21 Social Communication and Colonial Archaeology in Vietnam Read More »
On the evening of 20 September 1969, the newly-opened Jakarta Arts Centre, Taman Ismail Marzuki, was the site for a performance of the Jakarta Malay folk theatre form known as lenong. The play performed on this occasion was Nyai Dasima, the tragic tale of a young woman who is said to have been murdered on …
WPS 20 Community and the Metropolis: Lenong, Nyai Dasima and the New Order Read More »
The phenomenon of filial piety is fundamental to our understanding of Chinese culture, and this excellent collection of essays explores its role in various areas of life throughout history. Often regarded as the key to preserving Chinese tradition and identity, its potentially vast impact on government and the development of Chinese culture makes it extremely …
