by Naw Liang (Kyoto, Japan)
Mai soong kha.
Things are looking up: spring is here, the sun is shining and travel appears to be free-flowing again following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland and its 'ash cloud'. Even though business trips were postponed and work disrupted, my colleague put it best: "Think of this as a reminder to slow down. We're too rushed these days as it is." He was right, and I have enjoyed the break from our post-cheap-flight, "I want it now!" society.
In the interim, I was able to catch up on a few things for All about Shan Studies, including important upcoming events. The following post is courtesy an email announcement from Jotika Khur-Yearn, a budding Shan scholar and librarian at The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Mai soong kha Jotika for your help.
The Second International Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture
The second conference, to be held at SOAS, University of London on 11-12 December 2010, follows the inaugural event held at SOAS in December 2007, which provided an ideal venue for a distinguished panel of scholars and independent researchers to share their insights into Shan Buddhism and culture. It drew a significantly international audience and rave reviews in the process, acting as a driver for subsequent events in Bangkok, the US and France. The focus this year is on the preservation of distinctive Shan culture and the early British-Shan encounter, and it is sure to attract a large and diverse crowd.
A brief background of the Shan and Shan conferences
Despite the Shan cultural region’s location being at the confluence (or is it watershed?) of dominant nations (Myanmar/Burma, Thailand, India, China), its Theravada Buddhist roots and culture have managed to preserve unique features, some derived from medieval India, others uniquely Shan. However, even though the region’s inaccessibility has allowed a protection (of sorts) of its unique culture and religious beliefs, the past several decades (in particular) have left the Shan people severely under represented in Buddhism and cultural studies internationally. More importantly, Shan material culture and identity are now, through improved access, threatened and eroding by political suppression and centralization. The first International Conference on Shan Buddhism and Culture in 2007 sought to highlight the lack of coverage, resulting in the publication of a number of Shan-specific papers related to Buddhist studies in the journal "Contemporary Buddhism" (Volume 10, Number 1 (May2009), which helped to document and reflect the uniqueness of Shan identity. The second conference will seek to go a step further to preserving the unique Shan culture by hosting a discussion between traditional Shan and Lao scholars on the transmission of their respective traditional cultures.
The conference is doubly important as it will also coincide with the celebration of the Shan New Year 2105. A number of events are scheduled, including a cultural show by the active SCA-UK on the evening of 11 December. Prominent Shan composers and singers led by renowned musician, Dr. Sai Kham Leik, will participate. The show will include also Shan classical and modern dances. For those more interested in traditional Buddhist literature, a performance by both Shan and Lao experts will take place on the evening of 12 December 2010.
Call for papers and general registration
Despite its end-of-the-year scheduling, Shan scholars are never ones to wait to the last minute, and a "First Circular and Call for Papers" has already been issued by the SOAS Centre for Buddhist Studies and the Shan Cultural Association UK (SCA-UK) for the event. Details of the submission of papers and proposals are as follows:
Papers are on any aspect of Shan Buddhist and cultural studies - such as social anthropology, archaeology, material culture, history, Buddhology, linguists and music - are welcome. Any proposals, including those from graduate students, of approximately 250 words should be sent to:
Jotika Khur-Yearn (jk53@soas.ac.uk) by Friday 30th June 2010.
Additionally information can be acquired from the event organisers (Jotika Khur-Yearn, Kate Crosby, Khammai Dhammasami, SOAS Theravada Group and SCA-UK) and funding is available for would-be attendees, though limited.
Registration is required for everyone
I have been reminded that, due to limited places, anyone interested in attending (even if not presenting) should register in advance by email to Jotika Khur-Yearn jk53@soas.ac.uk by Thursday, 30 September 2010. There is a registration fee for non-speakers (£10) that includes refreshments and Shan food. We look forward welcoming you to the conference and the Shan New Year celebration.
Looking forward to seeing you there, and jom lii kha,
Naw Liang
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