This issue offers up two broad themes that could very well describe ordinary, day-to-day activity in much of South Asia - motion and consumption. Yet this bird's-eye view belies the intensity of subjective intentionality, and the continuous negotiation that takes place as experience and risk are juggled in an effort to overcome social, economic and political obstacles, and to gain some advantage where possible. Articles, photo essays, and book reviews cover topics in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. 

Cover: Rongpharpi Rongbe monument (Rong is 'village,' be is 'to flee') in Karbi Anglong, Assam. An iconic heroine and symbol of courage, justice and freedom among the Karbi people, it is believed that Rongpharpi Rongbe lived several centuries ago when most of the Karbi people were ruled by either the Kachari or Khasi Kingdoms. A king kept tiger cubs as pets, feeding them human milk in an attempt to domesticate them. He would send his soldiers to the Karbi villages everyday to collect milk from the women. Unable to stand the tyranny of the king, Kareng Rongpharpi picked up a hatchet and killed the soldiers. She, along with the villagers fled their homes out of fear of reprisal. Description by Milton Terang. Photo by Michael Heneise, December 2005.

Published: 22-Jun-2013