Encyclopaedia of Southeast Asia and its Tribes

Southeast Asia is a region where one can find many similarities between different countries. Southeast Asia has never been in any sense an isolated or self-contained unit. Because of its crossroads situation on the map of Asia it has always been peculiarly exposed to external influences; it has been a meeting- ground of commerce, cultures and civilizations. In a sense Southeast Asia has always been part of something bigger than itself; it has generally played a passive role in history, one which has meaning and significance only against the background of the history of Asia as a whole. Southeast Asia has a large number of tribes and ethnic groups. These countries are very similar with each other in many aspects and many of the tribes are found in more than ore country. This encyclopaedia traces these tribes of Southeast Asia, their culture and traditions, religions, customs, cuisines and other aspects of their life. Each country has been presented as a separate chapter and tribes and ethnic groups of that country is given in an elaborate manner. The language of this encyclopaedia has been kept very simple and pragmatic which is easy to understand and we hope that readers will find this book enjoyable on reading.