OBSA 2019

Venue: Davuilevu Theological College (Nausori, Viti)

Date: Apr 18-20, 2019

Theme: Bible and Vanua

Call for papers

OBSA 2019 offers a platform for examining different ways in which the Bible could help (or not) Pasifika people care for, protect, (ab)use, appreciate and/or reclaim Vanua. It will be an opportunity to reflect on the rich meanings of “vanua” (or fenua, whenua, fonua), hence we invite proposals in the following three streams:

    • Vanua as land
      • Land is interconnected with the sea as well as the air and the underworld, and we invite presentations that address ways in which biblical texts may be read in the interests of (or against) vanua. Proposals that engage the impacts of climate change upon Pasifika vanua (fenua, whenua, fonua) are encouraged.
    • Vanua as people
      • From conception and birth to death and burial, life is rooted in, sustained by, and at the end bodies return to, vanua. Presentations that read biblical texts in relation to, and under the appraisal of, Pasifika rituals relating to birth and death are invited.
    • Vanua as culture
      • Native customs and traditions are shaped by vanua and the challenges of life, and affected by encounters with visitors and outsiders, with their ways and values. Presentations that read biblical texts in relation to the impacts of colonization, occupation and/or militarization on Pasifika cultures are invited.

While presentations may focus on any biblical text(s), we warmly encourage engaging with texts from Ruth and James.

Please send proposals to obsamail@gmail.com by 28 Feb 2019:

  1. Name of presenter(s)
  2. Email contact
  3. Title of presentation
  4. Abstract of up to 200 words, describing the argument intended

Registration

2 days (incl. meals): NZ$60

1 day (incl. meals): NZ$30

Local students: FJ$10

Vinaka vakalevu,

Davuilevu community