Events for Fall 2011

James Madison University Africana Studies 3rd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference

FOLK CULTURE: MORPHING THE WORLD'S CULTURAL FACE

James Madison University, October 21st, 2011.

Keynote Speaker: Daryl Cumber Dance, the "Dean of Folkculture"

Born out of celebrations and struggles through history and handed down orally, through artifacts and now also through written, audio-visual and new media, Africana folk culture is permeated throughout by an overriding syncretism in which seemingly impenetrable cleavages of region, language, nationality, ethnicity, and ideology are daily subliminated in the diasporic production of culture. Be it by word, song, visual forms, performed arts, inter-personal interactions, or other forms of expression, each manifestation of the Africana cultural form is distinctive for its soulful spirit and dynamism. Africana folk culture continues to influence and impact world consciousness, cultures, politics, economics, education, language, technology, and religion.

For more information visit: http://www.jmu.edu/international/africanastudiesconference.shtml