ABSTRACT
There is a strong tendency to view groups or communities as a homogenous unit leading to the negligence of unequal power relations within the group, especially in terms of gender, class, and generation (Anthias, 2007). The field of Akha ethnic minority vendors and entrepreneurs is not homogenous, either. Despite sharing a set of commonalities important for the mobilization of internal social capital (see chapter 7), a range of differences ‘within’ (Moore, 1993) in terms of type and pattern of migration, migration trajectory, and migrants’ endowment with social, cultural, economic, or political capital and their social experiences embedded in the habitus can be identified. These distinctions are important because they also shape the everyday socio-economic practices of Akha vendors. In this chapter, I first describe the various types of Akha migrants found in the urban field of souvenir businesses and subsequently outline co-existing vending styles including mobile and permanent modes of selling. Finally, I analyse the central role of gender for both souvenir production and distribution processes.
