Spiritual Soundscapes

African and Diasporic Spiritual Soundscapes
Harvard University | Friday, 3 April 2015 | 8 am – 5 pm
Film Festival Saturday, 4 April, Noon – 4pm

CFP deadline: 19 December 2014

The African and Diasporic Religious Studies Association (ADRSA) presents its third day-long conference on the theme African and Diasporic Spiritual Soundscapes. Coined by R. Murray Schafer, the term soundscape refers to a combination of sounds that inhabit an environment. Songs, stomps, chants, claps, rhythmic breaths, animal sounds, ringing bells, prayers, shaking rattles, shouts, laughter, rustles of leaves, pounding of pestle on mortar, and more comprise the soundscapes of African and Diasporic Religious practice. This conference will investigate and celebrate these sounds, the aural tapestries they weave, and the ways in which they are integral to our understandings of the worldsenses contained in these rich traditions with topics including but not limited to:

  • African and Diasporic religious perspectives on noise, music, and sound
  • Theories and meanings of the use of music and sound in ritual
  • Ethnomusicological case studies on music and sound in  African and Diasporic traditions
  • Comparative studies juxtaposing types of sound or the use of similar sounds across traditions

Submissions should center on one or more African Indigenous (Ndebele, Yoruba, Kongo, Dagara, Eedyi, Igbo, Shona, etc.) or African Diasporic (Vodou, Lukumi, Umbanda, Shango Baptist, Kumina, Revival Zion, etc.) spiritual/religious traditions. Scholar-practitioner perspectives are welcomed. Panel proposals are encouraged. Graduate students are particularly encouraged to apply.

For consideration, please submit a 500 word abstract, a 100-250 word bio, and Curriculum Vitae by 19 December 2014. Panel proposals should include a 300-500 word description of the panel and all of the above information for each participant.

Submit abstracts at www.ADRSA.com/conference

For inquiries contact info@ADRSA.org

Find out more about the ADRSA at www.ADRSA.org

Above adapted from emailed CFP.