Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce (1450-1680): An Introduction

Southeast Asia: The Lands Below the Winds (1450-1680)

Physical Demarcation and Environment

Southeast Asia is distinctly shaped by nature: a geological arc formed by the Pacific and Indian ocean plates, creating volcanic islands (e.g., Sunda, Philippines) and deep trenches. The region encompasses Sundaland, a formerly unified landmass connecting major islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Bali) to the Asian mainland through shallow waters, now abundant fishing grounds. The dominant environmental features are water and forest. Extensive waterways facilitated seaborne trade with predictable monsoons and mild conditions, fostering maritime activity and enabling freedom from major land migrations. The luxuriant evergreen rainforest, sustained by high temperatures and rainfall, offered diverse and valuable species, profoundly influencing local lifestyles through forest product exploitation, shifting cultivation, and abundant wood, bamboo, and palm for housing.

Human Unit and Shared Characteristics

Despite apparent diversity, commonalities exist in popular beliefs and social practices. Linguistic groups like Austronesian and Mon-Khmer share elements due to intensive interaction. The common environment fostered an overwhelmingly rice, fish, and palm-based diet, with limited animal protein, and characteristically elevated pole houses built from wood, palm, and bamboo. Beyond environmental factors, shared cultural traits distinguish Southeast Asia from China and India, including the concept of