Thematic Research Project

FROM EDIBLES TO ECSTASY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STIMULANTS AND
DREAM-INDUCING SUBSTANCES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

This research project aims to collect descriptions and analyses
of the usages of substances serving non-nutritive and
non-medicinal purposes, including drugs (in the most recent
general understanding of the term), in Southeast Asia. It is not
therefore a catalogue of herbs, spices, and condiments but,
instead, covers a more limited variety of products which induce
a sense of pleasure or intoxication in humans. Whether this
involves an addiction or merely the quest for an artificial
paradise strictly speaking, all these sorts of substances
interest us and this series of studies aims to get a grasp of
their diversity, the degree to which they are used, and what is
understood about each of them.

By Phillipe Le Failler and Annie Hubert

One of the most important goals in such a work is to understand
society's acceptance or rejection of the use of the same range of
products, and, if possible, to reflect upon the conflicts
engendered by these substances through the development of
attitudes. The multiplicity of substances in societies, and the
diachronic dimension will allow us to form a unique picture of
the whole, and the results of a comparative synthesis will be
presented in a collective work.

THE SUBSTANCES 
The range is quite extensive: anything which, without
contributing much nutritive value, is sniffed, chewed, smoked,
drunk, or ingested for pleasure. This also involves the social
conventions; the rituals; or the escapism which is sought. As an
example from among the best known of these products, we would
cite opium which is ingested, smoked, chewed, and mixed for
purposes ranging from pharmaceutical uses to the satisfaction of
an addiction and includes, for instance, its use in initiation
rites. This substance illustrates perfectly the differences of
perception according to the research perspective of the
observers. An agronomist can see in this the distinctive features
of a particular kind of farming; an economist will stress scarce
resources and financial stakes; a sociologist or an
anthropologist, evidence of the acceptance of the drug in the
particular context of the social group, when explaining when and
how one smokes and ingests it; a linguist will track the path of
the drug through the study of the terminology used, and a
historian will deal with, perhaps in perspective, a geopolitical
stake, a symbol of power or of resistance.
This example serves as a model for looking at substances as
diverse as tobacco, alcohol, betel leaf and areca-nut, datura,
cloves, tea, etc., and allows us to envisage a picture of the
whole, in an article containing the knowledge of each contributor
within a broad, overall understanding. Furthermore, this form
will allow us to draw up a typology ranging from incense to
poison.

METHOD 
If possible, each of the main substances in this sort of use in
Southeast Asia, with as many as possible of the important
societies (which may coexist within the same country), will be
represented in the resultant book. It seems necessary to have
articles -Ä as diversified as possible -Ä on the following
countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma/Myanmar,
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, but also, in order to
broaden the area of understanding, India or China.
All researchers, whatever their training, are invited to send
their article proposals, and also suggestions for the subjects
that they would like to see dealt with.

THE FORM OF CONTRIBUTIONS
This "call for contributions" is adressed to researchers and
institutes in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. Articles
will be accepted in either English or French. We ask that each
participant send us, in advance, their theme, the period covered,
and the study they have chosen so that we can select the most
original (or complementary) of the proposed analyses. In this
same spirit, if you know of a researcher working on the subject,
or who can provide a piece of work that is complementary to our
study, we would be grateful if you would send us his or her name
and references, or forward this notice to the person directly. A
working group, composed of specialists from all backgrounds, will
serve as a reading committee and will coordinate the work. We
will keep you regularly informed of the progress of the project
and the work of other contributors.
The contributions, between 5 and 30 pages, should be sent to the
address given at the top of the attached form, if possible in the
form of electronic manuscript (computer diskette), accompanied by
a printout. In this case, it is recommended that the text be
presented in continuous form, without style/format indicators
other than italics and indications of headings and paragraphs in
order to facilitate the task of page make-up. (The IRSEA is
equipped with Macintosh but the translation of PC texts is
possible). Each article can be accompanied by a map and/or
graphics and tables. Drawings and photographs are welcome
(numbered, with captions, on the back; with an indication of the
desired placement in the text). These illustrative documents will
be returned to the authors when the publication is issued. For
the names of substances or instruments, please indicate the mode
of transcription chosen: literal transcription (written
languages), phonological transcription, or international phonetic
transcription (IPA).

The deadline for receipt of contributions is 30 April 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universit‚ de
Provence
Institut de Recherche sur le Sud-Est asiatique (IRSEA)
389, Avenue du Club Hippique
130984 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 2
France
Tel: +33 4295 1657
Fax: +33 4280 8210