Soundscapes: Reflections on Caribbean Oral and Aural Traditions
July 25 to July 29, 2005,
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados
The Department of African American Studies, Ohio University and the Learning Resource Centre of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill announce the conference Soundscapes: Reflections on Caribbean Oral and Aural Traditions, scheduled for July 25 to July 29, 2005, at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
BACKGROUND
One of the idioms through which the Caribbean gains its distinctive identity is its sound, both musical and vocal. Soundscapes: Reflections on Caribbean Oral and Aural Tradition seeks to explore the various sound texts that are unique to the Caribbean. While the focus of the conference will be Caribbean sounds, papers that establish the nexus between the Caribbean and societies, countries and regions that have contributed to its culture, as well as those that demonstrate how Caribbean culture has influenced other cultures will be welcomed. Explorations of the aesthetic, economic and political dimensions of Caribbean sound will also be considered. Papers on how various aspects of popular culture can be used as entertainment-education forces in the Caribbean are encouraged.
Soundscapes: Reflections on Caribbean Oral and Aural Traditions, which will coincide with Barbados' annual Crop-Over festival, also invites papers that explore Caribbean oral and aural heritage and their contemporary manifestations and dynamics.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Potential topics include but are not limited to:
Ancestral retentions and Caribbean Creoles
Bachata, calypso, mento, reggae, son, etc. and health issues
Calypso, chutney, dance hall, reggae, salsa, etc. as economic forces for the Caribbean
Caribbean folksongs
Caribbean music and its contribution to inter- and extra-regional
carnivalesque celebrationsCaribbean popular culture and its impact on the socialization of the region
Economic issues associated with the sounds of the Caribbean
European vestiges in Caribbean popular culture
Impact of calypso across the African diaspora
Interpretation of Caribbean society through popular culture
Interrelation between popular culture and Caribbean societies
Indias presence in Caribbean language and music
Music and the Caribbean religious landscape
Sleeve art: its contribution and role in Caribbean music
Steelband: its cultural, historical, social and international dimensions
In addition to plenary presentations, panel discussions will be considered. Interested participants are invited to register proposing a provisional topic by November 30, 2004. Abstracts should be submitted by March 1, 2005. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and should be sent in electronic form or hard copy to Dr. Vibert C. Cambridge or Department of African American Studies, Lindley Hall # 302, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701. Communication faxed to 740-593-0671 will also be considered.
Completed papers will be expected by June 30, 2005. The organizers of the conference anticipate publishing the conference papers.
Other preliminary information
Accommodation
Arrangements are being made for participants to stay in the Halls of Residence on the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados of The University of the West Indies. Information about hotel accommodation will be available after January 15, 2005.
Travel to Barbados
There are direct connections between the USA and Barbados on American Airlines, BWIA and US Air. Air Jamaica (a code share partner with Delta) provides flights to Barbados with a connection through Montego Bay, Jamaica. British Airways and BWIA provide direct flights to Barbados from London. A valid passport is required for entry into Barbados.
Crop Over is a period of high volume travel to Barbados. Seats are at a premium during this period. Prospective participants are strongly advised to make their airline reservations very early to get the reservation they require.
Crop Over: Events during the period July 22 August 1, 2005
Crop Over is Barbados' equivalent to carnival. During July there will be tents, Crop Over fetes (public parties) and other many cultural events. The festival culminates on August 1, 2005.
Vibert C. Cambridge, Ph.D., Chair
Department of African American Studies
Ohio University
Telephone: 740-593-9178
Fax: 740-593-0671
web: http://www.ohiou.edu/aas/
email: cambridg@ohio.edu