Cross-Border Mobility and Social Networks: Akha Caravan Traders

Abstract

The development of new infrastructure linking the northern margins of Southeast Asia with the southern perimeter of China is retracing historical trade routes that once connected the indigenous peoples of the region. This chapter is an attempt to provide some empirical evidence of Akha1 cross-border trading activities between southwest China, Myanmar,2 and Thailand. Trade and commerce activities are found to be important components of Akha society and they especially illuminate the dynamics of Akha mobility and social networks. Trade activities also shed light on the way in which the Akha interact with other ethnic groups and the way in which their ethnic identities are manipulated in such a context.KeywordsEthnic IdentityTrade PartnerTrading ActivityTrade NetworkCommerce ActivityThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.