Introduction Feasting is a common practice in most societies in the world. The practice has persisted over time and space. It is common in contemporary society as it was common in traditional societies. The practice serves various purposes. For example, people feast to celebrate weddings, initiation, and such other events. The practice brings people together. Southeast Asia is one of the regions in the world where this practice is widespread. Most of the feasts in this region involve a great deal of planning. The preparations, as well as the feast itself, consume huge amounts of surplus food, time, and effort (Dalton 2001). The practice revolves around consumption of food and drinks within social settings. Feasts in Southeast Asia (and in other parts of the world) are of great importance to the host and the guests as well. In most cases, the feasts are prepared as an indication of the host’s prestige in the society, as well as to obtain blessings. As already indicated above, the feasts are usually linked to such occasions as weddings, funerals, the completion of a house, a successful raid, and to celebrate a surplus harvest. The feasts are used not only to entertain the guests and the hosts, but also to achieve prestige in the society. The feasts also play a very important role in establishing social order and categorising people into the various social classes in the society. In addition, they are used to confer political power on the guest or on the host. Feasts are also major sources of socio-economic inequalities in the society (Gregor 2002). The current paper is written against the backdrop of feasting and its social implications in the society. The major aim of the paper is to discuss feasting as a source of power in Southeast Asia. The various forms of power emanating from feasting (including social power, political power, and economic power among others) are discussed. The author gives an overview of the Southeast Asia region and feasting in general. The author analyses the various levels of feasting and how they are used to define power hierarchies in the society. The author then outlines the social-political organisation of most communities in the region and how feasting is practiced in those societies. In addition, the author looks at resource organisation associated with a feast and how the gifts exchanged in such occasions symbolise the power and status of the guest. Finally, the author explains how hosting a feast earns the individual respect from other members of the society. The conversion of this respect into power will be analysed. Feasting and Power in Southeast Asia Feasting in Southeast Asia: Historical Context Southeast Asia has played host to humanity since the beginning of mankind. Prior to colonisation, the communities of Southeast Asia coexisted peacefully with each other. As a result, the whole region was largely united. Since then, many communities in Southeast Asia have adopted a communal- house type of life. A communal type of life is evident where an entire village, an extended family, or a clan, lives together. The individuals in such communal settings share the resources among themselves, regardless of whether they are related by blood or not. Most societies in Southea