*Call for Papers*


*ISARS – International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism**



With the support of the European Cultural Centre of Delphi (ECCD)






Dear Colleague,



On behalf of the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism
(ISARS), the organizers *Diana Riboli* (Panteio University, Athens, Greece)
and *Pavlos Kavouras* (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,
Greece) invite you to attend the international conference of ISARS which
will be held at the prestigious European Cultural Centre of Delphi (ECCD),
in Greece (http://www.eccd.gr/intro.jsp) from October 9th through October 13
th, 2015.

Undoubtedly Delphi, the navel of Mother Earth (Gaea or Gaia) and the most
important oracle of the ancient world, will offer the perfect frame for
this important meeting.





The official theme of the conference will be:



*Sacred Landscapes and Conflict Transformation. History, Space, Place and
Power in Shamanism*


In many parts of the world the wide array of religious-healing complexes
defined as shamanism are mainly linked to ancient oral cultures and
societies. Of course, the role of shamanism and shamans is not limited to
addressing illnesses and misfortunes. Shamans are the main actors in
shaping and preserving sacred landscapes both on the human and
other-than-human levels. At the same time, they often deal with historical
and mythical events. Therefore, shamans become powerful political figures.
In the last decades, their voices have assumed new vigor, empowering the
struggle of many indigenous peoples for human and land rights as well as
taking part in environmental campaigns on a global level.

Over the years, in their often conflicting encounter with colonial and
post-colonial economic and political interests, dominant cultures and
established religions shamans were called to deal with structural, physical
and cultural violence which undermined and continues to undermine the
preservation and the very existence of sacred landscapes and, therefore,
the wellbeing and survival of many cultures.

As proved by historical evidence and in particular by the survival of
shamanic complexes even in regions where these were brutally repressed,
shamans are masters in conflict transformation (and at times resolution)
techniques and strategies.

The main goal of the ISARS conference is to discuss the responses of
shamanistic complexes to exploitation, environmental, political, economic,
social and religious threats in the past, as well as in present. This
discussion also aims to reframe shamanism in a more ‘fair’ and realistic
perspective, in comparison with the highly idealized icon widespread in
many non-shamanic and mostly industrial cultures.



*Call for Papers/Session Proposal*



Please send you paper title and abstract (max. 250 words) and/or your
session proposal (max. 300 words) on *the main theme of the conference *in
a WORD document by*October 31st 2014* to: [log in to unmask]



Session organizer(s) are requested to indicate the general title of the
session, a brief description of the main topic (max. 300 words), number,
names and affiliation of participants. Sessions should include a minimum of
4 participants and a maximum of 6.



Please note that the Scientific Committee will review and select the papers
and session proposals. The selected papers and sessions will be announced
by January 15th, 2014.



*Visa and Letter of Invitation:*

Please inform us if you need a formal letter of invitation for visa or for
other purposes, such as travel grant applications.  Please send your
request to: [log in to unmask]



*Registration Information*



After September 30th, 2014, all information for registration and
accommodations as well as a preliminary program for the conference will be
available on our (under construction) website: www.isars.org



With best regards:



Diana Riboli, PhD

Vice President ISARS

Assistant Professor in Anthropology

Panteio University





Pavlos Kavouras, PhD

Professor in Anthropology,

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens



------------------------------

* <https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/#1477884ab6c955b2__ftnref1> Former
ISSR – International Society for Shamanistic Research

*************************************************************
*           Anthropology-Matters Mailing List
*  http://www.anthropologymatters.com            *
* A postgraduate project comprising online journal,    *
* online discussions, teaching and research resources  *
* and international contacts directory.               *
* To join this list or to look at the archived previous       *
* messages visit:                                             *
* http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/Anthropology-Matters.HTML   *
* If you have ALREADY subscribed: to send a message to all    *
* those currently subscribed to the list,just send mail to:   *
*        [log in to unmask]                  *
*                                                             *
*       Enjoyed the mailing list? Why not join the new        *
*       CONTACTS SECTION @ www.anthropologymatters.com        *
*    an international directory of anthropology researchers
*
* To unsubscribe: please log on to jiscmail.ac.uk, and            *
* go to the 'Subscriber's corner' page.                                  *
*
***************************************************************