Journal of African Cultural Studies
Scope & Guideline
Charting New Territories in African Cultural Scholarship
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Cultural Performance and Expression:
The journal focuses on various forms of cultural performance, including music, dance, and oral traditions, exploring how these practices reflect and shape social realities in different African contexts. - Language and Identity:
A significant emphasis is placed on the intersection of language and identity, particularly in contemporary African hip-hop and other vernacular expressions, revealing how language serves as a site of cultural negotiation and resistance. - Social Movements and Politics:
The journal investigates the role of cultural practices in social movements, governance, and political expression, highlighting how art and performance contribute to civic engagement and activism. - Gender and Sexuality:
Research often delves into gender dynamics and sexual identities within African cultures, addressing the complexities of feminism, queer studies, and the representation of marginalized voices. - Postcolonial and Transnational Perspectives:
The journal encourages analysis through postcolonial and transnational lenses, examining how historical legacies shape contemporary cultural practices and identities across African societies.
Trending and Emerging
- Urban Cultural Practices:
There is a growing focus on urban cultural practices, particularly in relation to how cities shape identity and cultural expression. This trend highlights the interplay between urbanization and cultural production, particularly in areas like hip-hop and street food. - Decolonial Perspectives:
Emerging scholarship increasingly adopts decolonial frameworks, exploring how African societies can reclaim narratives and practices that were historically marginalized or misrepresented by colonial powers. - Digital Cultures and Media:
The rise of digital cultures, including social media and online performance, is a prominent theme, examining how these platforms influence cultural expression and identity formation among African youth. - Intersectionality in Gender Studies:
An emphasis on intersectionality has become apparent, with scholars exploring how race, class, and sexuality intersect in the context of gender, leading to more nuanced discussions of identity and representation. - Environmental and Ecological Narratives:
There is an emerging interest in ecological narratives and how cultural practices relate to environmental issues, reflecting a recognition of the importance of sustainability within African cultural discourses.
Declining or Waning
- Colonial Histories and Their Direct Narratives:
There has been a noticeable decrease in papers directly addressing colonial histories through traditional narratives, possibly as scholars seek more nuanced or contemporary approaches to understanding historical impacts. - Static Representations of African Cultures:
Research focusing solely on static representations of African cultures, without considering their dynamic and evolving nature, appears to be waning, as scholars increasingly recognize the necessity of contextualizing culture within contemporary frameworks. - Traditional Gender Roles:
Discussions centered on traditional gender roles, without engaging with contemporary shifts and challenges, have diminished, reflecting a broader recognition of the complexities surrounding gender in modern African societies.
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