The workshop ‘Interculturalities in Imperial Space’ aims to analyse the role of intercultural communication and adaptation processes in imperial contexts. These processes not only led to the constitution of normative orders and social distinctions, but also to the stabilisation or destabilisation of power relations and the formation of social elites. In various empires, both the colonial and the colonised actors received and adapted cultural norms and practices of the other and established them as identity-forming characteristics within their own communities.
The dynamics of these intercultural exchange processes are reflected in the multitude of practices that were introduced into imperial contexts by the groups involved, modified and transformed into distinguishing features. While colonised population groups might adopted practices of the dominant class in order to secure or improve their social position, insecurities often arose on the part of the colonial and imperial elites. These resulted from the fact that the exclusive social position and identity of the upper class were potentially called into question by the appropriation of their culture by colonised or marginalised groups.
Another central dimension of intercultural dynamics was the tension between the metropolitan culture and locally created hybrid forms developed by local actors. These hybrids represented a heuristic challenge for both sides: For the imperial centres, as they irritated the notion of a homogeneous and static imperial culture, and for the local elites, as they held the potential to destabilise local power structures. Such processes of cultural transformation and hybridisation were both consciously controlled and characterised by unconscious adaptations and led to the emergence of new, distinct social elites.
In this context, ‘culture’ is understood as a fluid and ambiguous term whose definition and meaning varies in different historical and social contexts. This conceptual framework makes it possible to understand and analyse intercultural processes as a reflection of specific power relations and social orders. The diversity of these processes is particularly evident in imperial spaces, which not only took place along the classic triad of race, class and gender, but also encompassed religious, linguistic and political dimensions. These categories were renegotiated within the imperial framework and led to a profound transformation of colonial societies.
The aim of the workshop is to discuss the specifics of imperial and hegemonic structures that initiated intercultural exchange processes and to identify general mechanisms that led to the genesis of interculturality in these contexts. The following questions will be at the centre of the discussion:
- What role do intercultural adaptation and communication processes play in the formation of social elites in imperial spaces?
- What specific mechanisms and dynamics can be observed in different empires through which intercultural norms were negotiated?
- To what extent did the power asymmetries between imperial centres and peripheral regions influence these intercultural processes?
- How did these processes affect the stability or instability of imperial power relations?
- What significance did religious, linguistic and social norms have in the context of intercultural negotiations, and how were these instrumentalised by the actors involved?
The workshop is aimed at scholars from the humanities who are interested in the intercultural dynamics of imperial power structures. In particular, contributions that adopt comparative or transnational perspectives and relate different imperial contexts to each other are welcome.
We ask all interested persons to send a short abstract (1 page) along with a short bio. Presentations shouldn’t be longer than 20 minutes. The Collaborative Research Center TRR 138, which funds the workshop, can reimburse travel as well as accommodation expenses in a reasonable frame. We would kindly ask for you to coordinate your travel plans with us.
We kindly ask that all relevant materials be sent to either Philipp Horstmeier (horstmep@staff.uni-marburg.de) or Thomas Szymczyk (thomas.szymczyk@uni-marburg.de) until 31.1.2025.