This research project will focus on the area of the Sino-Tibetan borderlands situated within the People’s Republic of China, and referred to as Kham by Tibetans who make up most of the population of this region divided between the provinces of Sichuan to the east, Yunnan to the south and the Tibet Autonomous Region to the west. This research project intends to explore from a comparative perspective the possible definitions of this entity called Kham, which in the course of history has never strictly corresponded to any administrative unit or coherent whole, and which ultimately should be considered as a land of encounters, a place of métissage (cultural exchanges).By addressing a regional area virtually overlooked by Western research in social science, this project aims to strengthen international academic exchanges and to produce a strong network of collaboration on Kham studies. The multidisciplinary team will undertake ethnographic field studies and documentary research including archival research and contribute fresh, first-hand material to the socio-cultural diversity of Kham.In-depth investigation of the internal diversity of Tibet and its connection with the outside remains sketchy and thus a particular focus of this project is to delve into the complexities of Tibetan society in China. This pioneering work will provide new materials on four complementary cross-disciplinary themes: 1) trade and commerce, 2) ethnicity, religion and local identities, 3) political entities and social organization, and 4) representations and cultural politics, each of which in its own way will improve our understanding of the particular historical, social and political context of the Kham region. Finally, this multi-tiered and multi-scalar approach, with an emphasis on networks, will enhance work on historical mapping, which is still practically non-existent in this region.