Focusing on the social and cultural foundations of Sindhi business, the book traces its origins to the 1843 annexation of Sindh, highlighting its integration into the global economy. It explores the evolution of Sindhi trade within the modern Indian diaspora, showcasing various success stories from India and beyond. Key themes include the commercial creativity, spatial mobility, and adaptability of Sindhis, which are essential for establishing thriving cosmopolitan enterprises.
Focusing on the intricate dynamics of bird migration, the book explores the tensions between hunters and conservationists in Malta, where migratory birds face significant threats. Through extensive ethnographic research, it examines the cultural significance of hunting and the challenges posed by conservation efforts in a shared landscape. By highlighting the complex relationships among hunters, birds, and their environments, it raises critical questions about human-wildlife interactions and the unpredictable nature of conservation outcomes.
Bird migration between Europe and Africa is a fraught journey, particularly in the Mediterranean, where migratory birds are shot and trapped in large numbers. In Malta, thousands of hunters share a shrinking countryside. They also rub shoulders with a strong bird-protection and conservation lobby. Drawing on years of ethnographic fieldwork, this book traces the complex interactions between hunters, birds and the landscapes they inhabit, as well as the dynamics and politics of bird conservation. Birds of Passage looks at the practice and meaning of hunting in a specific context, and raises broader questions about human-wildlife interactions and the uncertain outcomes of conservation.