Material Cultures in Southeast Asia: Objects in Context

This book investigates everyday objects in Southeast Asia as integral forms of cultural heritage, examining their functions, significance, and the diverse values and emotions they have embodied over time.

By foregrounding material culture, the chapters delve into how these objects―ranging from utilitarian tools to artefacts of personal and communal identity―reveal the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of life across different historical periods. Through rigorous case studies spanning various regions of Southeast Asia, the book offers fresh insights into the interplay between materiality and cultures. It underscores how objects function not merely as remnants of the past but as dynamic carriers of heritage that continue to shape contemporary society. By bridging perspectives from anthropology, history, and cultural studies, this book enhances our comprehension of the region’s intricate social landscapes and contributes to broader discourses on heritage preservation and curation, the transmission of cultural values, and the ways in which everyday objects serve as conduits for collective memory and identity. Ultimately, it facilitates the de-centring of Western perspectives in research on Southeast Asia.

Material Cultures in Southeast Asia provides a better understanding of past and present societies in Southeast Asia, and it will be of interest to researchers in the fields of Southeast Asian studies, memory studies, and heritage studies.

Sabine Chaouche is a prominent historian of theatre and material culture. She has authored four monographs and over 20 edited volumes. Her latest book examines the creation and economy of stage costumes from the from the 16th to the 19th century.