Ataya: HUMA Interdisciplinary Seminar Series

Speaker: Antonadiá Borges, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

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Bio: Professor Antonádia Borges teaches anthropology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Her research problematises how diverse human experiences imply distinct temporalities and expectations regarding the meaning and purpose of life. This includes ethnographic research on people fighting for land and housing, and aspiring to have the freedom to define the purpose of the places where their ancestors and future generations will reside on their terms. Her most recent research on the role of the university involves a comparative analysis of the lingering colonialist discourses of whiteness within the academy and experiments in transformation that aim to challenge the status quo.

Topic: Damon Galgut's novel, The Promise, clinched the prestigious and (one must acknowledge), controversial Booker Prize in 2021.  y I discuss the novel through the lens of my position and background as an anthropologist. The Promise  vividly illustrates how the incommunicability between human experiences across time grapples with   shattered ontologies. The novel's unique sense of incommensurability prompts us to scrutinise our ethnographic challenges as both theorists and storytellers. Despite anthropology's conceptual commitment to multiple ontologies, there is an evident need for further exploration in crafting narratives that genuinely acknowledge  diverse worlds. Enduring foundations of indifference, alienation, and individualism underpin many of our scientific institutions and parameters of validation.. If even a work of art lacks the potency to challenge and transcend these expectations, the question arises: What can we realistically expect of anthropological works? This conversation seeks to center  this thought-provoking question.

How Ataya works: One presenter and their work – in exchange with the audience. Each Ataya session engages with selected work by the presenter (a text, artwork, performance, even food). The presenter introduces their work and grounds the subsequent discussion with the participants. For best engagement, we recommend participants to view the work (made available in advance on our website) before the session. More on the Ataya Series

Refreshments will be served at 12:30 SAST (GMT+2).

Register to attend: send us an email at huma@uct.ac.za

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