Call for Papers

Theme: Scriptures and ta-‘anga in the islands

The theme is inspired by the Tongan word ta‘anga, whose chief meanings are lyric (poem, song) and composition (performed in cultural dances). Ta‘anga also refers to the cutting of trees for the making of homes, the building of rafts and boats, and the weaving and lashing of tools and of wares. Ta‘anga is therefore about art, and the theme invites presentations that weave Scriptures with different forms (in words, movements, crafts) of arts in the islands.

In hyphenating the word, ta-‘anga, the theme evokes other connotations. The word tā means draw (on paper, ground, sand), carve (wood, rock, sea), conduct (a choir), hit (punish), instruct (discipline), break (disconnect), link (connect), and cut (of firewood, and of umbilical cord). There is room for exploring the intersection of Scriptures with these offshoots as well.

In using “islands” (instead of Oceania) the theme invites particularity. What for instance might be Scriptures and ta-‘anga in Kioa or Tarawa, Savai‘i or Uvea, in particular, rather than in groups (e.g., Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, Oceania)? This affirmation of particularity is in part because Scriptures and ta-‘anga tend to be more local than global or universal.

Call for proposals

We invite presentations that intersect a part of Scriptures with ta-‘anga in a particular island in Oceania, or beyond (Caribbean, Asia, etc.). Presenters might

o Present a ta-‘anga (song, carving, dance) that was based on a part of Scriptures;

o Present a ta-‘anga that functioned as Scripture (canon) at one time, on an island;

o Present how a Scriptural character or saying is interpreted in a ta-‘anga;

o Present how an island ta-‘anga can help us interpret Scriptures;

o Present how Scriptures help us understand island ways, customs, or ta-‘anga;

o Present how an island’s ta-‘anga custom might assist the reading of Scriptures.

To propose a presentation, email the following information to jioneh@nsw.uca.org.au before May 01, 2012:

1. Name of presenter

2. Title of presentation

3. Short description of presentation (no more than 250 words)

4. Email and postal contact of presenter