Call for Papers: Conference on Materialities of Medieval Ethiopia, 08/07

-First Call for proposed papers for a one-day conference to be held at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, Saturday August 25th 2007-

Deadline for abstracts: 1st May 2007

In association with the Centre of African Studies, University of London

Dear colleagues

I am taking this opportunity to canvass for expressions of interest for the above proposed one-day conference. The conference focuses explicitly upon the material culture sensu lato of Ethiopia (and very adjacent areas in the Horn of Africa) during the medieval period. This is very loosely defined as the period after the decline of the Aksumite polity until the mid-seventeenth century. The main ethos underpinning the meeting is to bring together scholars of differing methodological backgrounds (art history, archaeology and cultural historians) in order to debate and discuss our different approaches to the material culture of this period. Such themes which might be of interest would include: architecture; economic and cultural aspects of the monastic system; iconography; peripatetic kingship; economic landscapes. We are not concerned solely with the 'artefact', be it the building or work of art. Notions of place and space are also important. One avenue might be to discuss how phenomenological approaches to landscape mesh with arguably more tangible, empirical archaeological perspectives. These are merely a few ideas to help provoke the debate. Our scope is truly catholic, and all I would ask is that your contribution fits the chronological and geographical criteria, and more to the point makes a compelling, original and hopefully provocative addition to what remains a very traditional if not conservative approach to the study of a potentially fascinating period in a fascinating African state. I am hoping to publish the proceedings through the good offices of the CAS at SOAS and their partnership with Brill of Leiden. I am sure that you would all agree that this could be a very significant publication in the realm of Ethiopian studies.

At this stage all I require is an expression of interest and if possible an abstract which may be written in English or in French. Ideally we need to try to maximise Ethiopian involvement too, and I shall be looking into ways that we might be able to source funds to facilitate this. In this connection, it is unlikely that we shall be able to provide subventions for European travel. I intend to keep costs to a minimum (perhaps to cover food and refreshments and related room hire expenses on the day). Conference attendees will need to cover the costs of their own travel, and possible overnight accommodation if required. I am very happy to help facilitate any arrangements. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very healthy and successful 2007, and to hope that we may see this project through to fruition.

Dr Niall Finneran
Honorary Research Associate
Department of Art History and Archaeology
SOAS
University of London
Thornhaugh Street
WC1H 0XG
5 January 2007
Email: nf16@soas.ac.uk

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