1st Inaugural National Conference

Inaugural National Conference of  Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History and Religion (PASCHR)

hosted and co-organized by Holy Angel University

Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines
January 31 to February 1, 2014

CALL FOR PAPER

Philippines has a long history of diversified culture and religion. Being a civilisation of waters, various islands such as Luzon, Cebu, Panay, Leyte, Negros, Bohol, Palawan, Mindanao and others grew up as mighty maritime force with connection not only among the islands in the Philippine Seas but also with the neighbouring civilisations such as Java, Sumatra and  other parts of Asia.The maritime trade played a great interlinking among indigenous civilisations and belief systems were often shared along with the merchandise. Thus the islands of Philippines became the living witness to a great history and in the development of culture and religion. This culture interaction is evident not only with the findings of elements of Indic religions( Rama story, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, and Hindu art-pieces) but later on the spread of Christianity was Also assisted by this expertise of navigation.

With the central theme: “Culture, Religion and Maritime Links among the Islands of Philippines and Beyond”, this national conference, showcases such  interrelations which has made the region as one of the melting pots of indigenous beliefs, and religions of the ‘others’.  The Conference aims at bringing forward the young scholars to unfold this historical saga both in the Pre-colonial and colonial era. Therefore, the inaugural Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History and Religion Conference is dedicated to provide not only an academic venue for the discussion of the subjects mentioned above but also create a network of scholars on the academic study of religions.

The Philippine Association for the Study of Culture, History and Religion (PASCHR)   and Holy Angel University invite you to participate in this first national conference on January 31 to February 1, 2014 at the Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga. This is an inaugural conference to create network which would later on seek affiliation with International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and thus become a national Association under the umbrella of South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR).

Sessions and paper proposals dealing with these areas are requested for submission. An abstract (100-150 words) should be submitted on the following suggested sub-themes (but not limited to these only):

1.) Intra-Cultural links of the Philippines Waters

2.) Trade, Culture and Society within Maritime Philippines: Past and Present

3.) Religious links of the Philippines and Beyond

4.)  Ethnicity, Belief Systems and Identity in pre-colonial Philippines

5.) Christianity in Philippines and its relations with the Indigenous Communities