The five-day Winter Workshop *“Indigeneity”, Orality, and Liminal Ontologies: Methodological Pluralisms and Approaches to Culture (15-20 January, 2020; Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam, Northeast India)* brings
international scholars of all academic levels into the dense belief-environment of Karbi Anglong, Assam, Northeast India. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the “indigeneity” of Eastern Assam,
with a special focus on the orality and liminal ontologies of the Karbi, the most populous “indigenous” group in Assam.
The organisers have chosen Diphu, situated close to the border of Assam and Meghalaya, because it is rich in valuable folkloristic and anthropological knowledge that remains to be explored. One aspect of Karbi Anglong is its designation as a “spirit-scape” in which non-human entities thrive and liminal realities are inhabited, enacted, and transformed daily.
Lectures and discussions will address multiple issues relating to the concepts of “indigeneity”, orality, and liminality and – a main focus of this undertaking – “liminal ontologies” – their content, their boundaries,
and the experiences comprised thereby. Presentations on contextual topics relevant to these investigations are also most welcome. Local Karbi scholars and community members will contribute to the forum as well as
support the field outings as guides. Various well-established fieldwork practices such as participant-observation, collaborative interview techniques, and visual and audio ethnographic recordings will be employed
while the need for reflexivity and ethics continuously stressed.
Local hospitality and accommodation will be provided to all for the duration of the Workshop. Interested applicants are kindly requested to submit a 300-word motivation letter, a 250-word abstract, and a CV or brief
biography to Karbiworkshop2020@gmail.com by 15 November 2019. Please also feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Organised by:
University of Tartu, Department of Estonian and Comparative Folklore, Estonia
in collaboration with Centre for Karbi Studies, Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Nordic Centre in India, New Delhi,
Marginalised & Endangered Worldviews Study Centre (MEWSC), Cork, Ireland, University of Tartu Asian Centre, Estonia Gauhati University, Department of Folklore Research, Guwahati, Assam
with support from
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Karbi Anglong, Assam