Sponsor
Black Archival Imagination Lab
Co-Sponsor(s)
Africa Initiative; Concilium on Southern Africa; Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI); Literature; Romance Studies
Tribute to Valentin Mudimbe: Unmaking the Archive
Thursday, April 9,
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The work of Valentin-Yves Mudimbe has profoundly shaped how we think, teach, and imagine the possibilities of knowledge. His reflections on the colonial library, on the making and unmaking of "Africa" as a category, and on the labor of critique, remain foundational across disciplines. At Duke University-where Mudimbe's presence, writings, and mentorship have left a lasting imprint-there is both an intellectual and ethical imperative to honor this legacy.
Tribute to Valentin Mudimbe: Unmaking the Archive brings together scholars, students, and readers whose work has been shaped-directly or indirectly-by Mudimbe's thought. By gathering we affirm Mudimbe's continued presence within the life of this institution and acknowledge the unique role Duke has played in the circulation of his ideas. Above all, the colloquium honors a thinker who taught us that critique must be both generous and rigorous, that concepts must be unsettled before they can be renewed, and that the task of thought is never completed. In celebrating Mudimbe, we celebrate the ongoing work of imagining otherwise.
RSVP for in-person event: https://duke.is/mudimbe
Or register for Zoom option: https://duke.is/mudimbe-zoom
Program:
Arrivals and Lunch (11:00AM - 12:00PM)
Welcome By Khwezi Mkhize (12:00PM - 12:05PM)
Panel 1: Reflections on Mudimbe
(12:05PM-1:20 PM)
Moderator: Anne-Maria Makhulu
Michael Hardt, Duke University
Tsitsi Jaji, Duke University
Gregson Davis, Duke University
Achille Mbembe, Wits University (Zoom)
Tea Break: 1:20 - 1:30PM
Panel 2: Unmaking the Archive (1:30PM - 2:50PM)
Moderator: Unglid Paul
Justin Bisanswa, University of Laval
Nadia Yala Kisukidi, New York University (Zoom)
Alírio Karina, University of Warwick (Zoom)
Tea Break: 2:50PM - 3:00PM
Panel 3: Beyond the Colonial Library
(3:00PM - 4:20 PM)
Moderator, Michaëlle Vilmont
Salim Abdelmajid, University of Toulouse
Ainehi Edoro, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kirk Sides, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tea Break: 4:20PM - 4:30PM
Closing (4:30 PM - 5:00PM)
Felwine Sarr, Thanks and Closing Remarks
General conversation
Co-sponsors:
John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, Black Archival Imagination Lab, Concilium on Southern Africa, Ecologies of Knowledge, Duke Literature Program, The Fredric Jameson Institute for Critical Theory, Africa Initiative, Romance Studies
Tribute to Valentin Mudimbe: Unmaking the Archive brings together scholars, students, and readers whose work has been shaped-directly or indirectly-by Mudimbe's thought. By gathering we affirm Mudimbe's continued presence within the life of this institution and acknowledge the unique role Duke has played in the circulation of his ideas. Above all, the colloquium honors a thinker who taught us that critique must be both generous and rigorous, that concepts must be unsettled before they can be renewed, and that the task of thought is never completed. In celebrating Mudimbe, we celebrate the ongoing work of imagining otherwise.
RSVP for in-person event: https://duke.is/mudimbe
Or register for Zoom option: https://duke.is/mudimbe-zoom
Program:
Arrivals and Lunch (11:00AM - 12:00PM)
Welcome By Khwezi Mkhize (12:00PM - 12:05PM)
Panel 1: Reflections on Mudimbe
(12:05PM-1:20 PM)
Moderator: Anne-Maria Makhulu
Michael Hardt, Duke University
Tsitsi Jaji, Duke University
Gregson Davis, Duke University
Achille Mbembe, Wits University (Zoom)
Tea Break: 1:20 - 1:30PM
Panel 2: Unmaking the Archive (1:30PM - 2:50PM)
Moderator: Unglid Paul
Justin Bisanswa, University of Laval
Nadia Yala Kisukidi, New York University (Zoom)
Alírio Karina, University of Warwick (Zoom)
Tea Break: 2:50PM - 3:00PM
Panel 3: Beyond the Colonial Library
(3:00PM - 4:20 PM)
Moderator, Michaëlle Vilmont
Salim Abdelmajid, University of Toulouse
Ainehi Edoro, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kirk Sides, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tea Break: 4:20PM - 4:30PM
Closing (4:30 PM - 5:00PM)
Felwine Sarr, Thanks and Closing Remarks
General conversation
Co-sponsors:
John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute, Black Archival Imagination Lab, Concilium on Southern Africa, Ecologies of Knowledge, Duke Literature Program, The Fredric Jameson Institute for Critical Theory, Africa Initiative, Romance Studies
