Forwarded message from Paul Lane <[log in to unmask]>:
British Institute in Eastern Africa, British Museum & Zanzibar
Department of Archives, Museums and Antiquities
Maritime Heritage Conference 2006
Second Call for Papers
The Maritime Heritage and Cultures of the Western Indian Ocean
in Comparative Perspective.
Date: 11th – 13th July 2006
Duration: Conference - 3 days;
Venue: Stone Town, Zanzibar
Outline: The aims of this conference are to examine the maritime heritage,
cultural traditions and historical trajectory of the various populations
bordering the Western Indian Ocean, from Somalia in the north to South
Africa and Madagascar in the south, and including the various offshore
islands – such as the Seychelles, Comores, Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia – and
to compare and contrast these with other maritime regions and cultures,
including those of other sections of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and
Arabian Gulf, and Western Atlantic fringe. The more specific objectives
are to establish whether different maritime cultures and societies have
certain characteristics in common, the extent to which these have been
shaped by broadly comparable historical events and processes, and to
discuss the challenges facing the conservation and presentation of
maritime heritage in these different regions.
Disciplinary Scope: The conference is intended to be multi-disciplinary in
scope. It is expected that participants will be drawn mostly from the
social sciences (e.g. anthropology, human geography, ethnography, African
studies) and the humanities (e.g. archaeology, history, African languages
& literature). Submissions from specialists in the marine sciences (e.g.
oceanography, marine ecology, marine geomorphology) will also be
considered where these have a clear bearing on an understanding of
cultural and/or historical questions.
Themes: The Conference will be divided into parallel sessions grouped
around particular themes of cross-disciplinary significance and
relevance. Where possible, sessions will include papers that offer a
comparative perspective from a range of different maritime regions. Among
the themes which could be considered are the following :
History and ethnography of boat building traditions
Maritime societies as cultural brokers
The militarisation of the sea and its social and material consequences
The historical ecology of island communities
Evidence for sea level change and its impacts on human populations
Piracy and trade in the Indian Ocean
The poetics of maritime culture
Challenges facing the preservation of maritime cultures and heritage
Fishing – just a subsistence strategy or more a way of life?
Slavery and slave trading in the Indian Ocean.
* * *
If you would like to submit a paper or session for consideration, please
send a 250-word abstract to the conference organisers as soon as
possible. The deadline for submissions is 1 March 2006.
* * *
Expressions of interest, session proposals, paper proposals and general
enquiries (including concerning financial support) should be directed to:
Dr Stephanie Wynne-Jones, Assistant Director, British Institute in Eastern
Africa, PO Box 30710 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
Fax: + 254 (0)20 43 43365 e-mail: [log in to unmask]
For enquiries regarding overall direction and content, and requests for
financial support please contact:
Dr Paul Lane, Director, British Institute in Eastern Africa, PO Box 30710,
GPO, Nairobi, Kenya.
Fax: + 254 (0)20 43 43365 e-mail: [log in to unmask]
* * *
Information concerning accommodation and other related logistics will be
sent out in the New Year.
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