CALL FOR PAPERS "Battling: Dueling in and over African Diaspora Culture" TJ Obi & Kyra Gaunt, Organizers Baruch College/CUNY May 2, 2008 We invite proposals for a few more papers to help round out a one-day conference that will explore challenge genres in Africa and the African Diaspora as well as cultural contestation over these art forms. The panels will explore the oratorical, musical and physical dueling genres including signifying (playing the dozens), toasting, capoeira, speech mas, carnival masking, challenge dancing, musical controvérsia, double-dutch jump roping, b-boying, and musical battling in hip hop. These and related genres will be used a lens to frame the cultural boundaries of the Black Atlantic and to explore contemporary debates over the authenticity and cooptation of these cultural forms. Papers that explore similar genres in other cultures are also welcome. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 28th. Please send abstract and inquires to: T.J. Obi Department of History, B5-200 1 Bernard Baruch Way New York, NY 10010 (646) 312 4333 profobi@gmail.com <<back