CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT/CALL FOR PAPERS
University of Benin (Nigeria), in collaboration with Institute for Benin Studies, Benin City (Nigeria) announces an International conference holding in Benin City, Nigeria 9-10 JULY 2014 on:
THEME: AFRICAN MONARCHIES, DEVELOPMENT AND THE FUTURE
The 19th century witnessed a gale of European imperialist takeovers of African polities through treaties and outright conquest and colonization. The pre-existing African monarchies were transformed from various shades of absolutism and/or tamed rulers to autocratic agents of European colonialism where they survived. The colonially reinforced autocratic powers of the African monarchs did not survive the onslaught of nationalist forces and post independence rulers, which mostly allow them to reign without ruling. Despite these developments, Monarchies still transverse the African landscape. They now represent more than relics of African political past and are embodiments of their pulverized culture. Still, they thrive as a powerful force that is courted and appeased, by the modern state and politicians. Many new monarchies are sprouting where they previously never existed as in parts of Igbo land and the Middle-belt areas of Nigeria. Given these developments and the agitation for a role in government in some African countries like Nigeria and the contradictory roles ‘Chiefly’ institutions continue to play in other parts of Africa; acclaim in the success of Botswana’s development and opprobrium in the failures of others, the following questions arise: What is the relevance of these monarchies to Africa and its development needs? Why are they still popular, courted and created in Africa? How can the monarchs serve Africa’s development needs in this era of Globalization? In addition to these unanswered questions, is the fact that monarchies and their relevance in post-colonial Africa and changing world are still largely under-researched subjects. This conference objective is to bring scholars, researchers and other relevant stakeholders together to bring scholars together to share their research findings and ideas on this subject and publish these into a book(s), which will help disseminate the ideas and inform public policy.
CONFERENCE SUB-THEMES
A.) African Monarchies in the pre-colonial and colonial era
B.) African monarchies in the Post-Colonial World
C.) Monarchies and Democracy in Africa
D.) Monarchies and Development in Africa
E.) Monarchies, Ethnicity and Religion in Africa
F.) Monarchies, Peace and Conflicts in Africa
G.) Monarchies and Nation-Building in Africa
H.) Monarchies and Culture
I.) SPECIAL SUB-THEME: Benin Monarchy before and since Restoration (1914-2014)
ABSTRACTS of not more than 250 should be submitted electronically(word document) as attachment not later than 1st June, 2014 to:
The Executive Secretary,
Institute for Benin Studies,
No. 18, Ezoti Street, Benin City.
e-mail insbeninst@gmail.com
PARTICIPATION: A mandatory administrative/registration fee of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000.00) must be paid by participants from Nigeria and other African Countries and $150.00 (One hundred and Fifty Dollars) by participants from Europe, the Americas and Asia.
CONFERENCE OUTPUT
The proceedings/Papers shall be peer-reviewed and published by a reputable International Publisher.