dyton mupawaenda
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
Pan-African think tank, the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), has started the process of publishing the first edition of “The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia”.
The monumental research and publishing initiative is a definitive multi-disciplinary publication that holistically captures the first, second and third Chimurengas (liberation struggles) in a single tone, that will be available to Zimbabwe and the world digitally and in print formats.
In a statement, INSTAK said beyond merely collating events, dates and biographies, “The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia” will, among other things, provide the world’s first comprehensive accounts of the philosophy and practice of the African nationalism that inspired the first, second and third Chimurenga.
It will provide the ideological underpinnings of the formation of Zimbabwean anti-colonial, nationalist and economic liberation movements, key political and diplomatic events of the first, second and third Chimurenga and major military events.
The encyclopaedia will provide the spiritual dimensions of the first, second and third Chimurenga, the political, economic and social dimensions of land in Zimbabwe and the major legislative landmarks associated with the Chimurenga wars.
“By any measure, this is a colossal undertaking and INSTAK has initiated several foundational processes to bring ‘The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia’ to life. Among these foundational processes is the convening of the consultative forum on the writing of the first edition of the Chimurenga Encyclopaedia.”
The consultative forum would be open to all individuals and institutions interested in contributing research to “The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia” and it will be held on June 19, 2024, at Heritage Village in Liberation City, Harare.
INSTAK said the consultative forum brings together myriad stakeholders whose role is to both enrich the production processes as well as contribute entries to the publication.
It said among other things, it will focus on the imperative of producing the encyclopaedia, its broad structure, the eligibility and structure of individual encyclopaedia entries, contribution deadlines and production timelines, and the terms of engagement of contributors.
“As such, INSTAK invites experts from across the spectrum of academia and research to participate in the consultative forum on the writing of ‘The Chimurenga Encyclopaedia.”
Those who would be Invited to participate are people with expertise in fields that include, but are not limited to African history (pre-colonial and modern), African languages, anthropology, cultural studies, current affairs, development studies, diplomacy, economics, economic history ethics, European history (colonial and modern), heritage studies, historiography and history, indigenous knowledge systems, international relations, law, mass communication and media, military history, peace studies, philosophy, political science, sociology, theology and religious studies, and war studies.
“To participate in the consultative forum, interested people should send a brief expression of interest bearing their name and area of expertise to books @africanliberation.museum by close of business on June 1.
“INSTAK, as per its primary mandates of generation and dissemination of credible research that promotes appreciation, adoption and application of African knowledge, invites researchers, academics and all interested individuals and institutions to be a part of this historic effort.”
Online Reporter