Zomia: Peoples, Societies, and Cultures of Upland Southeast Asia

Livelihoods and diversification in the northern Vietnam uplands

The article addresses the issue of diversification within communities and how embracing diversity increases the potential for survival. Diversification has increased in the recent years since cultures and individuals are no longer separated by distance (Tugault-Lafleur, & Turner, 2011). The article particularly considers Hmong within Vietnam’s northern upland as the primary location that is impacted by diversification. The article asserts that Hmong’s ethnic minorities have utilized the benefits of cultural associations, increased resources access and the fluctuation of demands by consumers in diversifying and sustaining livelihood in the recent years.

Despite the Hmong belongs to Horticulturists they have shifted and embraced the production of rice as the community’s staple food. Cultural interaction has not only been limited to gaining fresh insights on agricultural production rather individuals within the setting have interacted and acquired the benefits of better infrastructure, education and social development.  Among the minorities, economic and social progress has been acquired from the interactions and this trend is the best approach in promoting cultural connections and improved interactions (Tugault-Lafleur, & Turner, 2011).

Reaction

The article undoubtedly highlighted the traditional culture of Hmong’s ethnic minority and the different transformations that have been acquired from cultural interactions. Under this influence, the communities have been able to acquire benefits such as agricultural focus shift, improved education, and better infrastructures. In addition, the different forces that have driven this transformation have been highlighted and supported with facts in details so that the readers can understand.

Critique

The article failed to offer the different initiatives implemented by the government or the relevant bodies in ensuring that the interactions are successful. The article, therefore, lacks clarity in regard to the impact of cultural interactions towards development and the barriers that affect the ability for the interactions to be effective.

Understanding the heritage of Luang Namtha

The article discusses Luang Namtha’s ethnic diversity and the basis of its general heritage of living. According to the article, Luang Namtha offers accommodation to more than just twenty different ethnic groups which make the province to be remarkable in reference to being a source of ethnic diversity as well as indigenous knowledge. The article claims that due to cultural diversity inter-ethnic fights have been resolved and encouraged peaceful coexistence. In addition, the province is characterized by low population and this creates adequate space and natural resources that facilitate the success of subsistence life (Schipani, 2008). However, the self-dependability tradition has been altered by the accommodation of cultures from outside which have created increased pressure for the residents to change their cultural and production systems practices. As per today, the emergence of commercial inactive agriculture along with the exposure to increased communication is the depiction of modern lifestyle that is grounded on materialism and a market economy with no cultural restrictions (Schipani, 2008). From this practice, most individuals are being forced to abandon a number of practices that are grounded in traditions in order to embrace the transformations.

Reaction

The article offers a detailed description of Luang Namtha’s ethnic diversity and highlights a number of features that characterizes its diversity as modern on the grounds of materialism and traditional practices. In addition, the article highlights the impact of ethnic diversity in creating change and how the benefits can be acquired for the betterment of the society and economy. Some of the ethnic groups are mentioned and described in terms of the changes that have been acquired.

Critique

The article fails to offer the undesirable effects that have been created by Ethnic diversification and the challenges that the groups are facing in embracing diversification. Despite the fact that the article classifies data in an organized manner there is the lack of coherent and it becomes challenging for the readers to establish particular information.

Comparison

The two articles are essentially similar in the context that they utilize reliable, accurate, clear and detailed information in the ethnic diversity subject.  However, despite the fact that they address the same issue they address different communities and applies similar and differing perspectives in regard to changes achieved through diversification. Regardless of the differences both as similar in reference to the strategies and material content.

 

 

 

References

Schipani, S. (2008). Understanding the Diversity of Luang Namtha. Unesco Bangkok. Pdf

Tugault-Lafleur, C & Turner, S. (2011). Of rice and spice: Hmong livelihoods and diversification in the northern Vietnam. Pdf