This is an anthropological classic of the first water and one of the books that opened my eyes to what anthropology could be. What if the author had focused the book more in this direction. Tambiah discusses the life of edmund leach 19101989, one of britains foremost social and cultural anthropologists, and a man of extraordinary versatility, originality and intellectual breadth. Its hard to explain how reading about hill tribes in southeast asia where powerful people periodically try to create little kingdoms gumsa in imitation of the shan states in the valleys, but where the complexities of their forms of agriculture and marriage systems. A history of myanmar since ancient times traditions and transformations maitrii aungthwin, michael aungthwin in a history of myanmar since ancient times, michael aungthwin and maitrii aungthwin take us from the sacred stupas of the plains of pagan to the grand, colonialera british mansions, revealing the storied past and rich culture of this country. My copy is the 1964 reprint, a paperback with a turquoise cover published by g. Since may 2016, burma link has systematically documented publications by.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Political systems of highland burma and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Edmund leach had spent the war among the kachin, after a year of orthodox fieldwork there, although all his original fieldnotes, photographs and draft thesis were lost as the result of enemy. By the authors admission, the ethnographic information is neither detailed nor new, but rather serves as a vehicle for demonstrating what leach describes as an oscillation between one kachin republican political system gumlao and the shan aristocratic system. In 2011 the authorities face the challenge of introducing the new political system. Ive checked out amazon and found a few interesting books on burma.
Bulletin of the school of oriental and african studies. The fighting in burma between the allies and the japanese imperial army can hardly be described as forgotten. This book is concerned with the kachin and shan population of northeast burma. Its aims were the investigation and encouragement of art, science and literature in relation to burma and the neighbouring countries the society was founded on 29 march 1910 at a meeting held at the. Apr 02, 2011 political systems of highland burma by edmund leach is a book about the kachin and shan of northeast burma, a region of hills and valleys which the author refers to as the kachin hills. At the time we were sent into burma, in december 1944, i was a humble subaltern, the troop leader of fox troop, 9495 battery. Rory macleans top 10 books on burma books the guardian. Net by nicholas tarling, new zealand asia institute, university of auckland. This is bringing travellers to the country in droves to experience its natural wonders and its rich culture and history.
Burma policy briefing 1 burma remains a land in ethnic crisis and political transition. Only two years ago, the imperial war museum in london published a detailed, 456page volume on the burma campaign written by military historian julian thompson. Burmas longest war anatomy of the karen conflict the number of karen people in burma or myanmar, as the country is officially called is unknown, with estimates varying between three and seven million, speaking a dozen related, but mutually nonintelligible, dialects. At the time we were sent into burma, in december 1944, i was a humble subaltern, the troop leader of fox troop, 94. In addition, burmese literature tends to reflect local folklore and culture. A history of myanmar since ancient times by maitrii aung. The majority of karen people are buddhists, with perhaps 20%. This book examines the ideas which have structured half a century of civil war in burma, and the roles which political elites and foreign networks from colonial missionaries to aid worker activists have played in mediating understandings of ethnic conflict in the country. Political systems of highland burma by edmund leach is a book about the kachin and shan of northeast burma, a region of hills and valleys which the author refers to as the kachin hills. Its odd what one notices on this first glimpse of a new world. Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. Its aims were the investigation and encouragement of art, science and literature in relation to burma and the neighbouring countries. In 2010 the military state peace and development council spdc laid out the landscape for a new era of parliamentary government.
Now he is married and is selling materials bubble blowers on the ferry to support his. The literature of burma or myanmar spans over a millennium. What is the most influential book i have ever read. Auto suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters.
There is an important a collection of books, serials and ephemera from the 1980s relating to the prodemocracy movement in burma. A study of kachin social structure lse monographs on social anthropology new ed by e. Ian brown, burmas economy in the twentieth century. Burmese days by george orwell, the glass palace by amitav ghosh, the art of hearing heartbeats by janphilipp sendker, fr. Burmese literature was historically influenced by indian and thai cultures, as seen in many works, such as the ramayana. The 18th field regiment selfpropelled, royal artillery was equipped with the american 105mm howitzer on a sherman tank chassis. We have all read books that left us reflecting, what if. The british library also holds printed books in pali and in other languages of burma including mon, shan, chin, kachin, and karen. But when your feet touch terra firma in your bones you know its burma. Berg publishers, jan 1, 1973 social science 352 pages. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers.
A study of kachin social structure edmund ronald leach. Thai, khmer, adopted words primarily from pali rather than from sanskrit. A study of kachin social structure lse monographs on social anthropology volume 44 of london school of economics monographs on social anthropology. The burmese language, unlike other southeast asian languages e. Click to read more about political systems of highland burma. To understand burmas 20th century and its current state, these ten books are indispensable guides, all. Stilwell, wingate, and the campaign in burma, 1944 by bidwell, shelford and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Review of edmund leachs political systems of highland burma. Only two years ago, the imperial war museum in london published a detailed, 456page volume on the burma.
Top 4 racist laws against rohingya muslims in burma. Blog be a part of reading and sharing the amazing stories of what god is using this ministry to accomplish throughout the world. That leachs book is in its third edition speaks to the importance of his work. Disaster into triumph 194245 by mclynn, frank isbn. This book was the outcome of ethnographic work in sarawak burma and popular known for theories of.
These in the british army were given the name priests. Political systems of highland burma by k ferryman on prezi. To understand burmas 20th century and its current state, these ten books are indispensable guides, all of which reflect the personal stories behind the turmoil which has haunted the country. On edmund leachs political systems of highland burma. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Reviews one of the most important and stimulating contributions to social anthropology published in recent years.
While anthropologists in africa were picturing lineal or clan based societies as stable to understand how they worked, leach encountered lineal societies that were cross cut by social class and linguistic divisions. The relevancy of this source is very high, as it gives four laws that are very beneficial in my argument about the rohingyas position in burmese society. A study of kachin social structure, was written by british social anthropologist sir edmund ronald leach in 1954. Here is the collection of books shared by many vistors by online and by post. You have free access to this content american anthropologist volume 57, issue 2, version of record online. At a crude level of generalization, shans are are a relatively sophisticated people with a culture somewhat resembling that of the burmesethe literature throughout the past century has almost always treated these kachins as if they were primitive and warlike savages, so. Appointed to lead what was soon to become the famous forgotten 14th army in 1943, at a time when british units in the far east were defeated and demoralised, within six months he had dealt the first death blow to the japanese army. A study of kachin social structure political systems of highland burma. He stopped his education after the 8th grade because he failed an exam. Political systems of highland burma is about the kachin and shan population of northeast burma, respectively highland and valleybased rice cultivators. It harks back to burmas foundations, but comes into its own with the british assault and occupation in 1885 a watershed year that ushers. These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the us.