Understanding the delta: A seminar on ethnography and the Anthropocene
On 30th November, the Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS) hosted a seminar titled “Rivers of Change: Nature, Life, and the Anthropocene” at the Exhibition Gallery, discussing the book River Life and the Upspring of Nature written by Dr Naveeda Khan (Professor, Johns Hopkins University). Dr Khan was the esteemed guest scholar of the event, while Dr Seuty Sabur (Associate Professor, ESS) moderated the discussion.
Professor Wasiqur Rahman Khan (Chairperson, ESS) officially commenced the seminar, and Nazia Sharmin (Lecturer, ESS) took over and introduced all the guests as the host and organiser. Dr Naveeda discussed her ethnographic work at the chars or sandbars located in the delta of the Jamuna River between Tangail and Sirajganj. She explained the methodology and the purpose of the ethnography thoroughly and then briefly spoke about the five chapters of the book. Shehzad M Arifeen (Senior Lecturer, ESS) was present as the book discussant, raising a few limitations and questions regarding the methodology and theoretical framework. Dr Naveeda highlighted the entanglement of the rivers and the lives in this region, saying that, “Anthropology has now turned its back on nature, due to its foundations in geographic and racialised determinism and ethnocentrism.” She shared that she did not want more representation for South Asia, but rather hoped for seminal works to emerge from here.
One of the attendees, Rodosee Hoque (Junior, ESS) expressed, “I’ve always believed the soul of a community can be understood by how they treat the nature around them, and Naveeda ma’am answered my confusion with her heaps of knowledge about a community that always existed as strangers to the nation.” In addition, Sazida Nahrin Auhona (Junior, ESS) remarked, “I appreciate her talking about how we can see our rivers not just as a resource but how they can shape us.” The seminar ended with an insightful question-and-answer session, engaging both the faculties and students.
