The end of bamboo houses in northern Laos

While we know much about the beginnings of houses, rarely their endings. Yet, to understand temporality houses and entanglement biographies residents, analysis endings is particularly relevant. The case Khmu especially suggestive here, for it shows that end a house not an exceptional phenomenon, nor symptom crisis, but inevitable intended part its life cycle. Unintended ends, on other hand, may continue be animated. bamboo can assumed have reached due widespread use timber and, increasingly, concrete. However, as building material still appears convenient fulfilling certain which means resurface even in novel ways. Si bien sabemos mucho sobre los inicios de las casas, raramente acerca sus finales. Sin embargo, para entender la temporalidad casas y el intrincamiento biografías residentes, análisis finales es particularmente relevante. El caso especialmente sugestivo aquí, porque muestra que final una casa no un fenómeno excepcional, ni síntoma sino destinada parte su ciclo vida. Finales sin intención, otra parte, pueden continuar siendo animados. Mientras se puede asumir bambú haber llegado debido al amplio uso madera y, crecientemente, del concreto. como construcción aún parece conveniente cumplir ciertos fines, lo cual significa este resurgir incluso en formas novedosas. [casas bambú, vida, muerte, Laos, Asia Suroriental, materialidad,] In upland northern seem approaching end. Two distinct incidents exemplify different ways this statement understood. When Sii's1 new was built cold season 2014/2015, previous one—a neat small house—was dismantled. I went with Ma Sen, one my close interlocutors neighbors, early, still-chilly morning hours village called Pliya adjacent neighborhood where more female male villagers, all kin way or another Sii, were assembled. “The Sii,” will detailed below, locally common referring also social unit by including name firstborn child's generation, here Sii. his two younger brothers, parents had already moved out into workshop building2 by, liminal dwelling period until inaugurated. children spent lives dismantled quickly without any ado, so appeared only preliminary work, after preparation ground could begin. Their planned refined structure reflect couple's aspirations: though upper floor made wood stilts rather ordinary manner, level encased wall concrete blocks. It was, fact, first semi-concrete village, many follow (Stolz, 2021a, 2021d), apparently replacing few years ago up landscape Pliya. Around same time, elderly woman finally her house, join elder son, who wife's village. Moving simply logistical matter Ya Pəŋ. Instead, belonging she greater life, raised children, cultivated rice fields undone before introduced house. Undoing is, indeed, precarious ritual affair disintegration commence, Before noon, been deconstructed, almost traces left would indicate plain spot just earlier. Both these brief snippets longer events, parts are related subject—albeit Sii jolly occasion, Sii's awaiting new, more-modern built. Like villagers today, wished history sooner than later, favor variant theme aspirational ambiguous: firstly, particular instance comes replaced better, nonbamboo secondly, might era general latter, especially, mourned nostalgically minded anthropologists (Angé Berliner, 2014), second example points local perspective value clear endings: shown, person's well-being belonging, clear-cut key, why beginning required watch old being torn down cease exist. Houses merely static, physical structures motion changing, along widely discussed anthropology (Carsten, 2018; Carsten Hugh-Jones, 1995). Recently, João Biehl Federico Neiburg (2021) suggested term “house-ing” attest processual nature people mutually shape each through time space. trajectory initially mentioned cases, phases “de-house-ing” literally build upon other. under construction, receiving increasing attention anthropology, occurring often, strikingly less analyzed discussed. however, good think about. Based ethnographic observations from long-term fieldwork explore what they tell us intersection temporality, materiality, (more-than-human) sociality. “dynamic entities” (Carsten 1995, 37) shown change together joint process. This cycle, periods (Birdwell-Pheasant Lawrence-Zúñiga, 1999), rhythm daily sociality often unfolds around hearths 1997). These rhythms socio-spatial processes shaped materiality well wider socioeconomic political shifts Elinoff, 2016). What more, Southeast beyond, regarded animated, living entities, Roxana Waterson ([1990] 2009) emphasizes “the house.” there differences across regarding ascription vitality personhood shared assumption residents closely connected 2018). relative flexibility interconnection units social, cosmological, economic regards results meshwork residents. meshwork, fits whose walls meshwork. They easily modified, repaired, extended meet changing requirements On sensory level, permeability allows diffusion sounds, smells, glimpses produces “community voices” (Helliwell, 2006) does stop at walls. necessarily idyllic; contrary, open door control. Given permeable wide range nonhuman spirits forces, wrong spot, viewpoint instance, draw whole resident group misfortune tragedy. materials contaminated types “blood” (literal metaphorical) spilled (Allerton, 2013; Zuckerman Enfield, 2022). Haunting sneak impact (Telle, 2007). Somewhat comparable cycles persons, said well. inaugurated, receive anthropology. Often ritually marked, bringing set kith together, combining work feasting relating values more-than-human socialities future-making, constructions increasingly sparking anthropological imagination: terms display success consumption (Thomas, 1998), formation expression aspirations (Archambault, 2018), personal networks continuities contexts migration (Leinaweaver, 2009), performance middle-class identity (Mercer, 2014; Page Sunjo, materialization migrants (Dalakoglou, 2010; Lopez, Pauli Bedorf, making remaking cosmic order ideologies (Bovensiepen, spatial efficacy (Durand, warmings events show how result conviviality liveliness 2013). interwoven manifold ways—and passing plays major role this. A come occupied phase cycle subject several changes throughout growing aging seminal case, Maurice Bloch (1995) Zafimaniry transform key point marriage, entrenched forming hearth (72). Comparable marital unit, harden. Through acquire “bones” become solid, firm, dark core applied during refurbishing. Anthropomorphic understandings are, (Blier, 1983; Buchli, 2013, 105ff; Waterson, [1990] 2009, 129–31). alive, least some contexts, able “die” (Motta, 2021)? 135f.) describes incident Torajan Indonesia conducted research. fire destroyed majority ancestral houses. observed rituals disaster found mourning following death person. Yet abandoned rot indifference, Signe Howell (2003, 31) states regard mobile Chewong Malaysia. Even given importance presented exceptions, ever explicitly reflected accounts. emphasis coming discourse has interesting parallels stress laid kinship studies (Lambek, 2011). Just revealing matters 2011, 3; Stolz, 2021c), fruitful starting considering conjunction materiality. Much exist, demolished, abandoned. latter exception, violence, external intervention—which, when war, resettlement, eviction, example. dismantling, deconstruction, demolition, abandonment, decay actively Dismantling, show, ordinary, exceptional, unfolding “biographies” Made woven wooden boards, erected stilts, occasionally thatched leaves, nowadays roofed corrugated iron roof tiles, exhibit 2021b; see Damrong Tayanin, 1994, 28ff; Svantesson et al., 2014, 84ff) (Figure 1). basically consist large room kitchen located detached building, separate roof, inside main room. Increasingly, blinds makeshift used privacy night. Furniture scarcely used, lack visible partitions imply undivided Quite visitors sit down, most intimate sleeping place “house father” mother,” altar located, reach inhabitants. mere shelter: mirrors simultaneously founds among house-group members. closest approximation “family” khon kaaŋ,3 “people house” (Évrard, 2006; 2021c). Adults aware attending event, do representatives like Khwaay married Sen” makes perfect sense ears. not, society Claude Lévi-Strauss's (1983, 1987) notion sociétés à maison, for, despite uncertainties surrounding concept applicability Asian settings (see discussion Howell, 2003), sole basis organization. patrilineal groups affinal ties, according norm matrilateral cross-cousin marriage diminish vital relevance locals; connects urges them eat barns, conduct addressing ancestors abode humans co-residing animals (rooy)—a fact tacitly acknowledged life. Closely type spirit, ancestor spirits. Becoming spirit (rooy ta ya) state sought carefully brought various rituals, last entails calling home spirit. After ritual, live then merged entity kaaŋ) supervise doings whereabouts subjects typical spirits’ humans’ view, sanctioning appear ambivalent (benevolent malevolent) onlookers. “looking” word invisible. seen buffalo skull attached back bears testimony venerate Apart visual tangible trace, awareness eventual presence abstention movements prohibited avoided actions include raising one's arms above head, afternoon hours, stay attic, entering indiscriminately eating table weight restrictions heavy young. With age, complexities needs put practice. Elderly refrain because, lady told me matter-of-factly, knew recognize them. Coming recognized deteriorating effects humans—the “greeted” (equaling spirit-infliction) drawn Spirits determining sanction harshly anyone belong if those there. evading our senses, dimension considered, albeit varying extents, powerful force—something post-facto acknowledged, exemplified below. escape casual observer: neither lavishly constructed, spend own others’ working away villages forests, destinations labor migrants. Visiting evenings done indiscriminately, politeness prohibitions limit interhouse visits beyond between neighbors occasions. belie underline human best dismantling. participate erection surprised find myself taking dismantling older first. demolished slightly elevated cozy relatively small, couple three children. Occupied then, 2023) 2). floors mats hammers nails; tied frames strings. Detaching quickly; women, men, involved, reused kept aside, while considered trash either burned, thrown rot, played nothing left, proceeded preparing soil sad occasion. make one, great improvement house-building couple, Yoŋ move belongings temporary shelter duration construction. For upcoming weeks, workhouse, important vernacular public space purposes (Stolz Petit, 2020), enough cooking utensils, storage sacks, persons time; spaces beneath elongated front additional construction site immediately very focused need dismantle obvious, spot. But workhouse routine step elsewhere occur must take stages process heralded “climbing” (ka kaaŋ). During house-owning enters supported wife-giver, lights ensure fertility group. possible ready. properly, absent. marked continuity observed, meant irreversible. Pəŋ, above. recently alone Her which, months earlier, youngest son her, pitied dilapidated fellow villagers. (group) poor marriages, highly dangerous, ensuing interaction involved contributed isolation. became worse, mental health stories awkward behavior. At point, he started haunt nightly strolls, going evoked fear neighbors. Eventually, threatened mother fled temporarily eldest married. She having leave age—the nightmare woman, 2021c; [1993] 2006, 233). Finally, disappeared, decided permanently. As remaining member, physically relocating person, however. choreographed Pliya, subsequent integration mediated complex moving firmly Though certainly respected well-integrated ones, expect lot guests proceedings, commitment participants indicated successful mediation move, both Thus, undone—to replace Sii—but entire material, cosmological senses disintegrated Pəŋ incorporated proceed, thing morning, deconstruction quickly, within bit biodegradable debris ground, instantly foraged free-roaming hens. contrast strong feelings whom developments, surprising, deeply upsetting. insecurity unfortunate circumstances troubled her. itself, safeguarding homestead. If anything remained, told, souls cling seek return it, potentially harmful consequences health. productive enabling creation elsewhere. Well-prepared followed, belongings, knowing remind former presence. Late night, returning yet took path led side grounds catch glimpse site. One village's specialists, lived neighborhood, sitting low stool middle wife; listening radio music, warming themselves log fire, larger pieces burning. He declared anymore; factually undone, nonexistent. dismantled, resettled 1985. mobility settlements ease deconstructed rebuilt elsewhere, far uncommon uplands Yuan reside 110), involuntary relocation 1985 remembered watershed history. conflicts aftermath Second Indochina War 1975, fighting continued now classed satru (enemies revolution) aynɔɔŋ, proponents Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), ruling party 1975 remained today. populations sides (Badenoch Shinsuke, Lutz, 2021), middle-aged generation vividly remember bombings occurred area. reality, classified causing trouble stability regime mainly reason area, relocated.4 Thirty 2015, visited “old village,” relocated referred to. Khwaay, husband, embarked two-hour hike forest high hill located. visiting area hunting gathering trips lively memories (mythical) trees, locations, stone formations. dense landscape—dense flora fauna memories, mythical traces, others first, did realize entered grounds. noticed Khwaay's quiet landscape; and—a prolific hunter—merged surroundings. slowly thoughtfully. Only seeing it: amid trees bushes barn posts, overgrown ivy 3). ruins, forest! quiet, hushing response questions: Are posts house? barn? Interrupting flow questions, modestly urged on. came plateau edges, rocky outcrop enabled splendid view over mountain river Tha, speaking normal voice again, telling cherished Why standing? memory forced present frequently evoked, hastily limited prospects livestock, high-lying location. climb indeed steep: rock cliff pass, frighteningly long stairs (made bamboo, deteriorated), regular challenge inhabitants descending, usually backs, tend fields. loaded described strenuous heaviest were. such linear process; secretly stayed realizing true forged (in High [2021], instance). sounds pragmatic born necessity debris, becoming decomposed, rot. remains ruins? Ruins fascinate onlookers—Archambault (2021, 50) speaks “ruinophilia.” There kinds deemed worthy preservation, persistence ruins neglect intention