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 13th, 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]<mailto:[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]<mailto:[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<http://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


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* Former ISSR – International Society for Shamanistic Research