Enchanted modernities: ancestral vitalizations in the Upper Mekong

Key Points

• This research explores the Akha neo-traditionalist movement to understand its cultural significance and broader themes of modernity.
• Conducted ethnographic fieldwork in the Upper Mekong region
• Analyzed the practices and beliefs of the Akha neo-traditionalist movement
• Investigated cultural identity and modernity connections
• Highlighting the role of ancestral practices in shaping contemporary identity
• Demonstrating the adaptability of neo-traditionalism in a modern context
• Reflecting on how cultural identity intersects with broader theories of modernities