Background of the network
The Decolonial Anthropology Network (DAN) brings together the praxis and the decolonial epistemological corpus. This perspective, whose genesis dates back to the political struggles that took place in the Global South between 1920 and 1970 (Césaire, 2006; Fals Borda, 1987; Fanon, 1963; Kincaid, 1985; Martí, 1891; Padmore, 1956; Reinaga, 1970; Trouillot, 2003), experienced its academic turning point in the 1990s. This turn was materialized through the contributions of a collective of enunciation that, although heterogeneous in its epistemology and praxis, converged in a common political-intellectual project: the visibilization of subalternized perspectives and the deconstruction of hegemonic power structures and dynamics (Bispo dos Santos, 2014; Castro-Gómez, 2007; Coronil, 1998; Cusicanqui, 1999; Dussel, 1992; Escobar, 2003; Grosfoguel, 2006; Lander, 2000; Maldonado-Torres, 2007; Mignolo, 2003; Palermo, 2014; Quijano, 1992; Walsh, 2002).
The network aims to address the pluriverse forms of decolonial enunciation and praxis, with special emphasis on the Global South and its dialogues with sectors of the Global North. The DAN arose from the imperative need to critically problematize the growing co-optation of the decolonial perspective within the European academy.. This means that the network will be dedicated to the mapping of an anthropological decolonial praxis, focusing on the multiplicity of practices within and without academia – ethnography, museum studies, political activism, contemporary art and so on – that highlight the colonial heritage, challenge the Eurocentric epistemes and reveal hidden voices and strengths.
Network theme/focus
- Analyze and make visible forms of anthropological knowledge production with particular emphasis on the Global South and their dialogues with their counterparts in the Global North
- To develop and disseminate decolonial methodologies in anthropological praxis that challenge the geopolitical hierarchies of knowledge and foster a horizontal dialogue between diverse corpus of knowledge.
- To facilitate the circulation of decolonial ideas, practices and theoretical frameworks among an intergenerational and inclusive academic community, with special emphasis on the visibilization of historically marginalized voices in the discipline.
- Advocate for the inclusion of decolonial anthropological perspectives in scholarly debates about the disciplinary past.
- Collaborate with academic colleagues from other disciplines, activists and political collectives.
- Create a reference list and dictionary of decolonial authors and concepts.
To join go to lists.easaonline.org/listinfo.cgi/decolonial-easaonline.org and follow the instructions. You can also email one of the coordinators and ask to be subscribed to the list.
