ZIBF 2014 call for papers

THEME: INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, ART AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

CALL FOR PAPERS

As you may now be fully aware, the approved Theme for The Zimbabwe International Book Fair Association 2014 is: Indigenous Languages, Literature, Art and Knowledge Systems of Africa. We are, therefore, pleased to announce that the dates for The Zimbabwe International Book Fair have been set for 28 July – 2 August 2014.

In arriving at this Theme, we were guided by a few factors, among which are: the overwhelming submissions on the subject of African languages, literatures, heritages and knowledge systems whose majority were unfortunate to be turned down for lack of space in the just ended ZIBF 2013 Indaba Conference Programme; the enlightening presentations in the ZIBF 2013 Indaba on patterns and benefits of the use of African medicines and the dangers of losing valuable health practices due to prejudice and official neglect and the timely movement to beneficiate African heritages through the tourism economy; the compelling indications from the ZIBF 2013 Writers Workshop regarding the urgency to recognize African languages, literatures and art forms as creative media and repositories of knowledge systems deserving as much attention as languages and literatures conveyed in English and other Western languages; the necessity to recognize and celebrate the vast literary and academic productions and publications in and about African languages in Zimbabwe and other countries across the African continent; sending a message of support and encouragement to authors, readers, researchers and publishers in these language media that their efforts play a vital role in intellectual growth, national and African continental development; embracing the hitherto marginalized languages of Zimbabwe that are now legally recognized under our new Zimbabwean constitution which have a potential to transform our understanding of our national identity and the importance of tolerance of ethnic diversity; and the vast potential for creating a truly festive atmosphere through the participation of African folk artists, readers folk artists and performers as part of the activities of our 2014 Book Fair.

In order to guide prospective presenters regarding the spirit of the 2014 Zimbabwe International Book Fair, here are some topics around which to operate:

 PROPOSED TOPICS

THE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES SITUATION IN AFRICA

• African Lingua Franca: Lessons From Swahili And Afrikaans
• Indigenous Languages, Ethnic Identities And Values
• Politics And African Languages
• Writing And Publishing In Indigenous Languages
• Translation In Literature Across Indigenous Languages
• The Place Of African Languages In The Digital Era
• Lexicography

LANGUAGE, FOLK ART AND THE AFRICAN WORLD VIEW

• Orature and African History
• Folk Tales, Riddles And Proverbs As Indicators Of Social Values
• Folk Games As Repositories Of Culture
• The African World View Through Language, Literature And Art
• Meanings Of African Dances
• Folk Arts As Expressions Of Knowledge Systems

THE LANGUAGE OF INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS

• Indigenous Religions As Cultural Expression
• The Influence Of African Religious Values In The Pentecostal Movement
• The Relationship Between African Cultures and Indigenous African Churches
• The Place Of Language And Music In Religious Practices
• Morality, Spirituality And The Philosophy Of Life In Indigenous African Cultures

AFRICAN HERITAGE

• Archives And Culture
• The Value Of Heritage In The National Economy/Development
• Zimbabwean Sculpture
• The Relevance Of Indigenous Art In Africa
• Challenges Of Modernization Against Indigenous Languages and Cultures
• Great Zimbabwe As An Expression Of Folk Art And Culture

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT

• Traditional Arts As Intellectual Property
• Communal Arts And The Concept Of Intellectual Property
• Rights Of Communities Over Stolen Artefacts And The Problem Of Restoration

HEALTH LESSONS FROM INDIGENOUS TRADITIONS

• Modern Health Practices And African Medicines
• African Trees And Herbs As Resources For Individual and Community Health
• Indigenous African Methods Of Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
• Healthy And Unhealthy Indigenous Food

INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE

• The Relationship Between Indigenous Languages, Art And Writing
• The Problem Of Standardization Of African Languages
• Current Trends In African Writing In Indigenous Languages
• The State Of Electronic And Print Media In Indigenous Languages
• African Music As Literature
• Film In Indigenous African Languages
• Experiences in translating the Zimbabwean Constitution
• Challenges of Broadcasting in indigenous Languages

We, therefore, invite prospective presenters to submit Abstracts which should reach our ZIBF Offices by no later than March 31, 2014 for scrutiny and approval by the Executive Board of ZIBF. Abstracts should be of limited length but no longer than 500 words and may be submitted by hand post or surface mail or email: \n
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