Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia (Ethnic Groups of the World)

Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia (Ethnic Groups of the World)

This comprehensive guide to the Pacific and South Asia provides detailed and enlightening information about the many ethnic groups of this increasingly important region of the world. Ideally suited for high school and undergraduate students studying subjects such as anthropology, geography, and social studies, Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia provides clear, detailed, and up-to-date information on each major group in South Asian and Pacific Island countries, including India, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, Australia, Tonga, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. Organized alphabetically by ethnic group, each entry provides an introduction followed by accessible descriptions of the origins, early history, cultural life, political life, and modern history of the ethnicity. Alternate names, major population centers, primary languages and religions, and other important characteristics of each group are also covered. Beyond being a valuable resource for student research, this book will be enlightening and entertaining for general readers interested in South Asia and the Pacific. This latest addition to ABC-CLIO’s Ethnic Groups of the World series follows the series format: each alphabetically arranged entry contains the name and alternative name of the group; describes the major population areas each group inhabits; offers estimated population; and provides a short sketch of linguistic and religious affiliations, among other information. More than 150 different groups are profiled, organized alphabetically by name. Entries average one to two pages, with the largest portion of the text devoted to the historical development of each group. Groups profiled include Aborigines, Australians, Hindis, Javanese, Parsis, and Tagalogs. The entries conclude with a few print (but no Internet) references. Black-and-white illustrations are interspersed throughout the text, and a geographical and keyword index provides easy access. Unfortunately, the three broad regional maps placed at the beginning of the volume don’t depict the location of each group’s habitation. Some references list hard-to-find or academic materials, but that might be expected because so little has been written on many of these small, isolated ethnic groups. This work serves as a useful reference source for both students and also for the general library reader and is recommended for larger public and academic libraries. --Donald Altschiller “This book provides a ready guide to the diverse array of ethnic groups living in South Asia and the Pacific. Each entry provides the geographic distribution of the ethnic group as well as its historical evolution and high points of its religious and cultural development. At the end of each entry, resources are provided for additional reading. These citations are particularly helpful for ethnic groups that are not as well known to American students.” ― ARBA “'This work serves as a useful reference source for both students and also for the general library reader and is recommended for larger public and academic libraries."” ― Booklist JAMES MINAHAN is a freelance writer and independent researcher living in Barcelona, Spain. His most recent books include Miniature Empires: A Historical Dictionary of the Newly Independent States (Greenwood, 1998) and One Europe, Many Nations: A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups (Greenwood, 2000). Used Book in Good Condition