The inaugural issue of The Highlander marks the launch of a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the study of highland communities across Asia, particularly those historically positioned at the margins of the state. Building on the concept of Zomia—coined by Willem van Schendel and popularised by James C. Scott—the journal seeks to push the boundaries of area studies by focusing on transnational and interdisciplinary approaches that explore the social, political, and cultural dynamics of highland societies.
This first issue features a diverse range of contributions from leading and emerging scholars. Jelle J. P. Wouters critically assesses Highland Asia as a field of anthropological inquiry, questioning the dominance of hill-valley binaries and proposing alternative frameworks for comparative research. Bengt G. Karlsson introduces the idea of "theory from the hills," exploring how altitude and landscape shape knowledge production and lived experience. Oliver Tappe advances a historical anthropology of upland Laos, examining the long-standing interactions between highland and lowland populations. Dolly Kikon reflects on fieldwork methodology in Northeast India, offering insights into the ethics and practicalities of research in highland environments.
United by a commitment to rethinking the margins, this issue lays the foundation for The Highlander as a platform for innovative and engaged scholarship, amplifying voices from and about the upland regions of Asia.