Ethnohistory of the Greater Mekong Subregion

Abstract

The Greater Mekong Subregion comprises 6 countries: Southern China (Chinese Yunnan), Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. These areas are approximately 2.60 million square kilometers which are now settlement of various ethnic groups about 330 million people. The Greater Mekong Subregion Project was established in 1991, and it has affected various ethnic groups who settled along the Mekong Subregion including geographical areas, forest trees, and the migrations of population under the management of each country. This article aims to study broadly contents focusing on history, geography, nature, cultural ecology, ethnic groups, beliefs and religions of the people in this subregion, by using literatures and field experiences of the writer, in order to gain understanding of basic knowledge and inspiration for further study.