Call for papers – Anthropology and Folklore. A one-day seminar organized jointly by the RAI and the Folklore Society

 

 

8th October 2015

 

The relationship between anthropology and folklore is one that has fascinated researchers for more than a century. In the years before the Great War, this was illustrated in concrete fashion by the very close links which obtained between the Folklore Society and the RAI, so much so that many members of Council were Fellows of both institutions, and for some years we even shared a building. Institutionally, a separation appears to have emerged during the twentieth century as anthropology professionalized, but the intellectual overlaps remain, all the more so in today’s flexible, multi-disciplinary environment.

 

On 8th October, our two societies will once again revisit this question. The Folklore Society will provide three speakers, and the RAI three. Any Fellow who would like to offer a paper in this connection is cordially invited to submit a brief abstract and title to admin@therai.org.uk.

 

It should be emphasised that the topic may be treated very broadly, both from the historical and disciplinary point of view. Possible references in this regard are: Gazin-Schwartz and Holtorf Archaeology and Folklore (Routledge 1999), or Marian W. Smith ‘The Importance of Folklore Studies to Anthropology (Folklore Vol 70, March 1959; 300-312). The Folklore Society has also sent a link to a recent special issue of their journal, devoted to this subject: http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/ah/rfol-vsi-2015-folkore-and-anthropolog