Life

Putting people at the heart of the story.

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 01, 2018 • 9 min read

Tanimbar Islands One man’s journey of possession and exorcism

By Lesly Lotha • Aug 01, 2018
As a young anthropologist, Will Buckingham's voyage to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia made a lasting impression on his life. He talks to Southeast Asia Globe about his recently published book, which recounts his fascinating time there

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 25, 2018 • 7 min read

Ho Chi Minh's Hollywood A Vietnamese dream

By Janelle Retka • Jul 25, 2018
Award-winning US filmmaker and producer Timothy Linh Bui relocated his company Happy Canvas Film to his ancestors’ homeland. Since then, his team has been providing a new take on the Southeast Asian country for the world to see

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 24, 2018 • 8 min read

Whatever happened to The Philippines’ reproductive health law?

By Cristyn Lloyd • Jul 24, 2018
Despite President Duterte’s signing of an executive order on reproductive health law in 2017, a new wealth of challenges has presented itself to officials and the six million Filipina women whose reproductive needs are still unmet

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 18, 2018 • 7 min read

Archaeology The little-known history of Cambodia’s ‘dark age’

By Lesly Lotha • Jul 18, 2018
While the post-Angkorian period is considered to be a dark time in the Kingdom’s history, an ongoing excavation at the country’s former capital city Longvek – now just a small village – offers evidence to suggest otherwise

Life • Jul 18, 2018 • 7 min read
Apsara Dancing

Not Cambodian enough

The Kingdom’s first contemporary dance company updates ancient moves, defying a conservative establishment
By Nathan A. Thompson • Jul 18, 2018

Life • Jul 16, 2018 • 8 min read
Rohingya Crisis

The great tragedy

Despite the hopelessness of their situation, Rohingya refugee volunteers are pushing back against their plight to provide crucial support to their community
By Johan Smits • Jul 16, 2018

Life • Jul 12, 2018 • 4 min read
DNA testing

Where do Southeast Asians come from?

A fascinating study has potentially unlocked the secret of the origins of Southeast Asians, resolving a long-standing debate on the prehistory of the region
By Uffe Wilken • Jul 12, 2018

Life • Jul 10, 2018 • 7 min read
Bareknuckle boxing

Blood sport

We travel to Naypyidaw to witness a rival to any Muay Thai or MMA match – but when Lethwei warriors go head to head, the gloves are off
By Paul Millar • Jul 10, 2018

Life • Jun 14, 2018 • 7 min read
UnUsUaL

The brother’s empire

Singapore's UnUsUaL has become Southeast Asia's leading music production and promotion company, worth $500m. Co-founder and partner Leslie Ong shares the highs and lows of building an empire from scratch
By Janelle Retka • Jun 14, 2018

Life • Jun 13, 2018 • 6 min read
Cambodia

Empowering a Kingdom’s businesswomen

Although women own 65% of Cambodia’s businesses, fewer than half of them employ more than one person. Women-focused social impact fund She Investment co-founder Loem Lida explains how her organisation is helping the Kingdom’s women grow as entrepreneurs
By Paul Millar • Jun 13, 2018

Life • Jun 13, 2018 • 8 min read
Urban migration

Brunei’s troubled heart

The once-populous district of Kampong Ayer, a community of stilted homes and wooden walkways, is a shell of what it once was in its heyday as residents drift to the city
By Pete Ford • Jun 13, 2018

Life • Jun 11, 2018 • 11 min read
Cambodian political refugees

Betrayed

Despite documented cases of torture and abuse, immigration court files reveal that the US is sending Cambodian asylum seekers back to face political persecution
By Jack Davies • Jun 11, 2018