The 8th South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR) Conference has been announced for Dhaka, Bangladesh for 13-16 June 2019. The theme of the conference is ‘Rivers and Religion: Connecting Cultures of South and Southeast Asia’

Rivers played a very crucial role in the development of world civilization. This is also true for South and Southeast Asia, where thousands of rivers connecting culture and thought. The vast watercourse of the River Ganga in South Asia, and that of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, along with other major rivers in the region, determined the culture, belief system and philosophical thoughts of the region for several millennia. The homogeneity of culture and religious practices therein is seen today largely due to the flow and sacredness of South and Southeast Asian rivers. The role of rivers in connecting culture, commerce and conviction in the region of South and Southeast Asia will dot the 3th SSEASR conference as its major thrust for the academic study of culture and religion.

The academic discourse on rivers and religion to understand cultural
development of South and Southeast Asia is a very pertinent subject for achieving sustainable development goals of the 21st century. Purpose of the 3th SSEASR conference is encouraging world academia to initiate the dialogue on the much relevant issues on the subject in order to better understand, compare, interpret, and analyse countless beliefs, practices, traditions, communities and other related phenomena.

Strikingly, the history of Bangladesh is entwined in the history of its numerous and diverse rivers and water channels. Beautifully known as the Land of Thousand Rivers (“Hazar Nadir Desh” in Bangla language). These rivers – the life of the country – have nurtured Bangladesh through the ages and their banks also write the tales of the human civilization accomplished. These rivers not only facilitated trade but also worked as primary agents of carrying religions, spirituality, folklore, beliefs and beyond. No wonder, Bangladesh is a home of very rich and diverse culture. Therefore, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh is proud to host the Sth SSEASR conference in the capital city of Dhaka, during Thursday, June 13- Sunday, June 16, 2019.

With the above conceptual parameter, we suggest following sub-themes for the Conference:

1. Riverine Routes and Religious links in South and Southeast Asia
2. Sacredness of Rivers, Riverfronts and Races
3. Major Rivers and their Valleys: The Lifeline of South and Southeast Asia
4. Tirthas and Pilgrimages in South and Southeast Asia
5. Culture and Eco-Tourism along the rivers in South and Southeast Asia
6. Iconography and Personification of River related Deities and Celestial beings
7. Art, Architecture and Archaeology of South and Southeast Asia
8. Language, Literature and Sacred Texts
9. Religious Practices and Behaviours of Indigenous People
10. Performing Arts, Fairs and Festivals
11. South and Southeast Asian Diaspora in the World: Religiosity and Survival

More details and registration information in the website below:
Source: sseasr.org