THE IAS-UNN 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Conflict, University of Chicago, The Transatlantic Research Group, and the Whelan Research Academy for Religion, Culture and Society, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, invites scholars and graduate students to an international conference entitled Continuity and Change: Rethinking African European Encounters. The conference is scheduled for 18-20 July 2024, with a pre conference workshop on Research and Fieldwork Methodology for graduate students on 17 July 2024 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.
CALL FOR PAPERS:
THE IAS-UNN 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Conflict, University of Chicago, The Transatlantic Research Group, and the Whelan Research Academy for Religion, Culture and Society, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, invites scholars and graduate students to an international conference entitled Continuity and Change: Rethinking African European Encounters. The conference is scheduled for 18-20 July 2024, with a pre conference workshop on Research and Fieldwork Methodology for graduate students on 17 July 2024 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.
Continuity and Change: Rethinking African-European Encounters
Institute of African Studies
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
July 18-20, 2024
In recent decades, there have been intense debates on and around the role of European encounters in transforming African societies. Scholars of the African colonial experience agree that the historic arrival of Europeans in Africa, especially during the colonial period, produced an unprecedented change and transformation in African societies. What happened when Europeans encountered and mingled with African societies and people? What role did Europeans (Missionaries, Traders, Administrators, and Scholars) play in facilitating these encounters? In what ways did Africans respond and react to these encounters? In what specific ways have Africans improved (or discarded) the systems introduced (or imposed) by the Europeans? How is the current global power balance reflected in the unfolding continuity or change within Africa? How can one speak to the present by engaging with the history of these encounters? We will explore these questions at the Rethinking African-European Encounters Conference, a three day-long scholars meeting at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Sub-themes will include, but not limited to, the following:
Control, restriction, and colonial hegemony
Colonial ethnography and representation of Africa
Construction of identity and difference
Christianity, Islam and spirituality in Africa
Decolonial thinkers and critique of Eurocentrism
Colonial economic models and their aftermath
Indigenous forms of slavery
Neo-slavery and other forms of servitude
European languages and language ideologies
Labour and production relations
Reproducing colonial political economy
The nation-state and loss of indigenous autonomy
Texts, images, and colonial representation
Otherness and Othering in the colonial context
African resistance and colonial Institution
Modern bordering and migration encounters
Reinterpretations of cultural encounters
Intersections of race and gender biases
Women, motherhood and colonial ideology
Mapping gender in the colonial context
Pre-and post-colonial social organisations
Elections and liberal democracy in the post-colonial era
Art, education, literature, music, theatre, film and society in postcolonial Africa
Art and art markets as playgrounds of European fancy in Africa?
The arts as a platform/tool for the unbalanced Europe-Africa encounter
The conference honours the life and work of Professor Felix Ekechi (1934-2023), whose illustrious historic career as a teacher and scholar centred on Africa’s engagement with Europeans. Ekechi’s most influential works include Missionary Enterprise and Rivalry in Igboland, 1857-1914 (nominated for the African Studies Association Herskovit’s Award); Tradition and Transformation in Eastern Nigeria: A Sociopolitical History of Owerri and Its Hinterland, 1902-1947; and Pioneer, Patriot, and Nigerian Nationalist: A Biography of the Reverend M.D. Opara, 1915-1965. These groundbreaking works show how European encounters with Africa shaped history, indigenous responses, and identities.
Abstracts of 200 words or less should be sent as attached Microsoft Word files to ias.conference@unn.edu.ng on or before 20 May 2024. The author’s name, institutional affiliation, email address, and contact phone number should be provided under the proposed paper title before the abstract. Successful abstracts will be announced by May 27, 2024. Completed papers are required no later than 30 June 2024.
THE CONFERENCE PRESENTATION FORMAT SHALL BE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL.
Conference Fees
Participants from outside Africa: $100
Africa-based scholars and researchers: N15,000
Africa-based student participants: N5,000
All inquiries regarding submissions should be directed to ias.conference@unn.edu.ng Prospective participants whose papers or panel proposals are accepted will receive further registration and payment details.
Contact Info:
Prof. Chima Korieh
Institute of African Studies
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Contact Email: ias.conference@unn.edu.ng
Chief Host:
Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe
Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Host:
Professor Ozioma Onuzulike
Director, Institute of African Studies,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Tel/Whatsapp: +234-8064566346
IG: @ozioma.onuzulike
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U.S AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT 2022
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is a premier event organised by the Corporate Council on Africa
By Africa-Related New York
On July 19-22, 2022, the city of Marrakesh in the Kingdom of Morocco will play host to the annual summt that brings governments and business leaders together.
The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is a premier event organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. It brings together African Heads of State, senior US Government and African officials, CEOs and senior U.S. and African private sector executives and heads of international financing institutions.
The objective is to connect governments and private sector decision makers over the course of four days and to deliver the insights to move business relations forward.
Online registration has closed, however you can still purchase your Summit tickets starting on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the venue Palais des Congrès Boulevard Mohamed VI Marrakech, Morocco.
For more information or questions, email Summit@corporatecouncilonafrica.com.
Follow the event program online on the CCA website.
SPOTLIGHT ON GUODO: ITA'I @ 1st TINCITY Fashion Week
The spotlight is cast on one of the oldest woven cloth pieces from the middle belt region of Nigeria…
Words: Rosemary Onubaiye
Photos: TCFW/Africa-Related
Jos, Plateau State NIGERIA
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Ita'i Our Cloth, a weaving social enterprise based in Okene Kogi State recently showcased at the TinCity Fashion Week, which took place in the city of Jos, Plateau State in November 2021.
The first edition highlighted the Guodo - the woven cloth of the ethnic groups found across the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria. Participating designers were thrilled to deliver their creative interpretations and transform the runway for three nights in Jos!
Ita’i featured designers like Zizi Cardow and Morino, who worked with the Okene/Ebira woven cloth . The event was organised by Ms. Christabel Bentu of TCFW and supported by various sponsors.
Read more about the historical significance and the many uses of the Guodo Cloth below.
Historical Background
It has been observed by stakeholders in the FASHION and THE CREATIVE industry on the PLATEAU and the MIDDLE BELT region of Nigeria that there is a CRITICAL NEED to revive and promote the local textiles and fashion industries in order to rekindle a general interest among the people of Central Nigeria and by extension Nigeria and globally in patronizing our indigenous traditional fabric and designs.
This is to ensure that the local industries are sustained at home and in the global market. This will also serve as forum for the Preservation, Promotion and Presentation of our unique and rich traditional fabrics. It will further create job opportunities for millions of unemployed youths, thus reducing the incidence of extreme poverty within the already highly marginalized region.
2021 PROGRAMME CONTENT
(A)TEXTILE FAIR
This event will involve textile, weavers and accessories produced and displayed by the traditional fabric manufacturers and producers from the MIDDLE BELT REGION states:- Plateau, Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Niger and Southern part of Kaduna states. They will converge in Jos and at an Event center to display a variety of traditional fabrics, accessories etc to the public and for sale---a kind of textile market for the JOS FASHION WEEK.
(B) FASHION SHOW
This Event will bring together FASHION DESIGNERS from these six States to display their designs in an organized show with emphasis on fabrics from the six earmarked States of the Middle Belt Region .
(C) STAR APPEARANCES
This will feature Nationally and Internationally known fashion designers, putting up a show-appearance to add value to the entire event. Similarly, Music stars, Comedians, Actors, Star footballers etc to perform/show up at the event for Endowment.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. To introduce the Middle Belt region traditional fabrics to the Nigerian/Global market.
2. To Promote and Create a market local textile and fashion designers within the area of coverage.
3. To provide a platform for Exchange of ideas among producers in order to enhance standards for National and International recognitions and patronage.
4. To promote Middle belt dress culture and provide a tourist market that would sustain the viability of the industry.
5. To showcase the creations of promising designers newly introduced to the fashion world.
6. To help strengthen the Entertainment and Creative industries on the Plateau, thereby restoring it's lost glory.
7. To provide at forum for fostering PEACE AND UNITY among all Nigerians.
PROJECTING GUODO - Africa Fashion Week
BRIEF HISTORY OF PLATEAU STATE
The name PLATEAU is derived from the nature and form of its prominent landmass, which is largely occupied by Rocks, Hills, Mountains ETC.
Out of the original area coverage created initially, two States later emerged out of PLATEAU STATE namely BENUE and NASSARAWA STATES. These three states namely PLATEAU, NASSARAWA and BENUE STATES make up the center of the Geographical area called the Middle Belt region. Other states within the Middle belt region include TARABA, KOGI, NIGER and SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATES.
Historically, these six/seven States have similar cultures having migrated from the famous KWARARAFA KINGDOM. The dances, dress code, language, values and norms of the people have similarities. This is why our proposed programme plans to concentrate largely on the indigenous fabrics and designs from the Middle Belt region
Source: TinCity Fashion Week
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