In Projectland, anthropologist Holly High presents a compelling first-person narrative of her fieldwork alongside a political ethnography of Laos, over forty years post-establishment of the Lao PDR. In the remote village of Kandon, she observes that while socialism has waned as an economic model, it remains vibrant in the cultural and political spheres. Kandon, home to the ethnic Kantu (Katu), has a history of resistance against colonial and revolutionary forces. In 1996, the village relocated to a plateau area, now known as "New Kandon," which has achieved recognition as Sekong Province's first certified "Culture Village" and the nation's first "Open Defecation Free and Model Health Village." High offers a nuanced assessment of the Lao Party-state's resettlement policies, highlighting the complexities often overshadowed by the narrative of New Kandon's success. She chronicles the lives of villagers who returned to the old village, challenging state policies while honoring their connection to the land. Through the experiences of women bound by steep bride-prices and often violent marriages, High reveals the limitations of the socialist ideals of equality and independence. These women articulate "necessities" as constraints on their lives, navigating a context where the state defines success and agency, framing their existence as both nonconforming and nonagentive.
