Appetites and aspirations: Consuming wildlife in Laos

Abstract

Research on wildlife use is strongly associated with conservation and environmental debates. Yet, popular beliefs about wildlife consumption also offer many opportunities for discussing identity and social change. To demonstrate this, I examine ideas about eating common types of wildlife in Laos in light of the dialectical contrast between civilised settlements (muang) and the wild forest (pa). The exclusion of wildlife from the widely practised baci ritual and the popularity of wildlife consumption indicate the potency of these animals as social objects. In a contemporary context of widespread social and environmental change across Laos, the practice of eating wildlife is being constructed as an assertion of Lao identity that blends an idealised tradition with a status‐conscious modernity. Ambivalent desires for social transformation draw upon ambiguous symbols to find expression in beliefs as well as in popular social practice.

Illegal wildlife trade in local markets of Feuang and Mad districts of Vientiane Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

“…The wildlife market is expanding due to domestic and international demands for wildlife and their products. Various studies have reported that international trade was closely related to economic benefit ( Johnson et al 2010 ; Singh 2010 ; Greatorex et al 2016 ; Krishnasamy et al 2018 ). The increasing demand and price of wildlife products in other East Asian counties such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam have aggravated wildlife hunting in the Lao PDR.…”

“…There is a long tradition of wildlife hunting in the Lao PDR. The majority of the inhabitants live in rural areas and are dependent upon harvesting wild products and hunting wild animals for their livelihood and traditional medicine ( Johnson et al 2010 ; Singh 2010 ). Hence, numerous wildlife species are in trade at local and international markets, regardless of their conservation status, making the country a hub for illegal trade ( Ghos 2010 ; Schweikhard et al 2019 ).…”

The Harvest of Tropical Wildlife for Bushmeat and Traditional Medicine

“…The popularity of wildlife consumption may also point to the influence of animals as social objects. In the present context of rapid social and environmental change across Laos, consuming wildlife is widely seen as a form of national identity that combines an idealized tradition with a status-conscious modernity (53). In Vietnam, wild porcupines cost half the price of farmed ones, which leads to more demand for wild animals; thus, prevailing relative pricing is a significant driver of the trade (54).…”

Perceptions of the COVID‐19 pandemic's impact on communities and wildlife trade: Preliminary qualitative analysis from hunters in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

“…obs.). In Laos, hunting of rare species is prohibited, but hunting for subsistence is allowed (National Assembly, 2007); however, it is commonly believed by Lao nationals (including enforcement and government officials) that all forms of hunting are prohibited (Singh, 2008(Singh, , 2010. In Vietnam, hunting is prohibited in "strictly protected" areas (Law No.…”