Rivers and Religion

Connecting Cultures of South and Southeast Asia
South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion
announces

8 SSEASR CONFERENCE
thDhaka, Bangladesh | June 13-16, 2019

A Regional Conference of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR)
Member of CIPSH under the auspices of UNESCO
Organized by

Hosted byCenter for Archaeological Studies (CAS), ULAB University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)Rivers played a very crucial role in the development of world civilization. This is also true forSouth and Southeast Asia, where thousands of rivers are connecting culture and thought. Thevast watercourse of the River Ganga in South Asia, and that of the Mekong River inSoutheast Asia, along with other major rivers in the region, determined the culture, belief
system and philosophical thoughts of the region for several millennia. The homogeneity ofculture and religious practices therein is seen today largely due to the flow and sacredness ofSouth and Southeast Asian rivers. The academic discourse on rivers and religion tounderstand cultural development of South and Southeast Asia is a very pertinent subject forachieving sustainable development goals of the 21st century. Purpose of the 8th SSEASR isto encourage world academia to initiate the academic dialogue on the much relevant issues
on the subject in order to better understand, compare, interpret and analyse countless beliefs,practices, traditions, communities and other related phenomena.
Strikingly, the history of Bangladesh is entwined in the history of its numerous and diverse
rivers and water channels. Thus, Bangladesh is beautifully known as the ‘Land of Thousand
Rivers’ (“Hazar Nadir Desh” in Bangla language). These rivers – the life of the country – havenurtured Bangladesh through the ages and their banks also write the tales of the humancivilization. Therefore, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) is proud to host the8th SSEASR Conference at its campus in the capital city of Dhaka.
With the above conceptual parameter, we suggest following sub-themes for the Conference:
1. Riverine Routes and Religious Links in South and Southeast Asia
2. Sacredness of Rivers, Riverfronts and Races
3. Major Rivers and their Valleys: The Lifeline of South and Southeast Asia
4. Tirthas and Pilgrimages in South and Southeast Asia
4. Culture and Eco-Tourism along the Rivers in South and Southeast Asia
5. Iconography and Personification of River Related Deities and Celestial Beings
6. Art, Architecture and Archaeology of South and Southeast Asia

7. Language, Literature and Sacred Texts
8. Religious Practices and Behaviours of Indigenous People
9. Performing Arts, Fairs and Festivals
10. South and Southeast Asian Diaspora in the World: Religiosity and Survival
Note: The SSEASR operates under the policies andprinciples of the parent body International Associationfor the History of Religions (IAHR), which seeks topromote the activities of all scholars and affiliates that
contribute to the historical, social, and comparative
study of religion. As such, the IAHR is the preeminentinternational forum for the critical, analytical andcross-cultural study of religion, past and present. The
IAHR is not a forum for confessional, apologetic, orother similar concerns.

Other papers related to theconference theme are also welcome
Special Session
Culture and Religion in Bangladesh:
Past and Present
We also welcome panels on sub-themes

We are working on 2 days/1 night Pre-Conference Tour (World heritage Buddhist site
Paharpur/Mahasthangarh/Mainamati/Sonargaon) and 3 days/2 nights Post-Conference Tour
(World heritage Mosque City of Bagerhat and the world’s largest Mangrove Forest Sundarbans).
Other details regarding the accommodation and the mode of payment for registration fee would beannounced very soon.

Email us at:

For details and registration, please visit:

SSEASRBangladesh@gmail.com

www.sseasr.org

Important Dates
Early Registration Deadline|

February 28, 2019

Panel Submission Closes|

February 15, 2019

Last Submission of Abstract|

March 30, 2019

Registration FeesLocal
Participants
Early registration BDT 3000
Late registration BDT 3500
Full time students BDT 2000
US$ 200

ForeignParticipants
US $300
US $350
US $200
US$ 250(Overseas persons living in Bangladesh)(Retired academicians)

Developing countries
Participants
US $250
US $300
US $150
US$ 200(Retired academicians)

The registration amount covers conference day meals, dinners, coffee/tea, conference publications, pickup
service at the airport and entry to cultural and heritage sites and cultural evenings. It does not include air
tickets, hotels and other personal expenses.

Prof. Amarjiva Lochan, PhD
President, SSEASR

Prof. Shahnaj Husne Jahan, PhD
Chair, 8th SSEASR Conference