Wildlife in Asia: Cultural Perspectives

by John Knight (Editor)

Overview

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 alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135795634
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/31/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Preface List of Contributors Introduction Part 1: Wildlife as Resource1. Attitudes towards Wildlife and the Hunt in Pre-Buddhist China2. The Chase and the Dharma: The Legal Protection of Wild Animals in Premodern Tibet 3. Representations of Hunting in Japan 4. Japanese Perceptions of Whales and Dolphins 5. Cultural Underpinnings of the Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia 6. Coconut-Picking Macaques in Southern Thailand: Economic, Cultural and Ecological Aspects Part 2: Wildlife Pests and Predators 7. Wildlife Depredations in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan8. Farming the Forest Edge: Perceptions of Wildlife among the Kerinci of Sumatra 9. Pigs across Ethnic Boundaries: Examples from Indonesia and the Philippines 10. 'Primitive' Tiger Hunters in Indonesia and Malaysia, 1800-1950 11. The Raj and the Natural World: The War against 'Dangerous Beasts' in Colonial India 12. Wolf Reintroduction in Japan?

Editorial Reviews

'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

'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

From the Publisher