Call for Contributions

BIRDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: AESTHETIC AND SYMBOLISM

The research theme that motivates this call for contributions
rests on this hypothesis: most Southeast Asian societies
accord, in general, greater importance to birds than to
mammals and other animals. Can this privileged relationship,
which seems to exist physically and intellectually between
these men and women on the one hand and birds on the other, be
understood culturally, and on what elements is it founded?

By Pierre Le Roux

The position held by birds in Southeast Asia within the realm
of symbolism is major and engenders particular types, like
civilizer bird, mediator bird or messenger bird, omen bird
etc.
In many societies, the mythical bird and the real bird are not
the object of an actual differentiation. Origin myth
references often involve a bird. Representations of garudas,
nagas, and phoenix, along with other mythical figures very
often constitute recurrent ornamental motives (on fishing
boats, ritual posts, for tattoos etc.), or key personages of
oral literature. Among these figures, birds are opposed to
aquatic animals. The former (e.g. the garuda) are often
associated with the dry season and the latter (e.g. the naga)
with the rainy season.
Omens connected with birds are numerous: for example, among
Malays nocturnal birds are put in the same class as ghosts and
Geopelia turtle-doves bring good fortune. In the Philippines,
there is a veritable magical ornithology that plays a
considerable role in everyday representations and beliefs.
Certain birds are linked to the kinship system (e.g. cockatoos
and hornbills). Others, such as the birds of paradise, hover
between the origin and the outcome of a myth (in this case, in
connection with their apodia or 'absence of feet').
However, we do not wish to limit contributor's approaches too
precisely to these tracks, preferring to keep the theme open.
At the end of this research project, the types of symbolic
birds will emerge more clearly.
It is, therefore, a question of attempting a comparative
analysis of different ways of conceiving and perceiving birds,
their role, their function, their place in nature, and in the
supernatural of human societies of this cultural area (in the
broad sense -- continental Southeast Asia, the Indian
Archipelago, Madagascar, and the Indian, Chinese, and
Austronesian fringes). Descriptive analyses (e.g. the
technique of fishing at sea or in rivers with the help of a
trained bird) blend, in numerous cases, with an aesthetic
approach of this theme -- for example, the singing
competitions of turtle-doves in Singapore and Thailand, and of
cocks in Indonesia; and the presence of pet birds in Malay and
Chinese (of the diaspora) homes.
We will be interested, in particular, in cultural and social
motivations throwing light on the attraction or repulsion of a
society with regard to birds (for example, as pets), but also
notions and concepts that are attached to this category of
animal life such as beauty, femininity, and liberty in the
west). Apart from the question of why, we will also try to
respond to the question of how, through an ethnoscientific
approach taking into account indigenous typologies: what
animals are part of the bird world? Hens, do they qualify as
birds? and so on.
This work should give prominence to the various types of
mythical birds and lead to their classification. The project
will attempt to explain why certain birds in particular form
the support for these beliefs,

IMPLEMENTATION
The work of deliberation will be directed by a basic working
group who, beyond their work of comparative research, will be
able to serve as a reading committee for contributions
received.
The results of this project will be published in the form of a
joint, interdisciplinary volume to be published in the 'Grand
Sud' collection following upon 'Le Sel de la Vie and Asie du
Sud-Est', with contributions coming from the field of
ethnology, ornithology, ecology, philology, history, and art
history.

PARTICIPANTS
Jean Baffie (IRSEA, CNRS UMR 9962); Helga Blazy (University of
Cologne); Pascale Bonnemere (CNRS); Robert Dentan (New York
university); Christian Coiffier (CNRS UPR 191); Jacques
Ivanoff (IRSEA), Pierre Le Roux (IRSEA); Charles MacDonald
(IRSEA); Albert-Marie Maurice; Francois Robinne (IRSEA);
Bernard Sellato (IRSEA); Jean-Christophe Simon (ORSTOM).
Ornithological advisors: Prof. Jean Dorst (Museum National
d'Histoire Naturelle); Jean Lariviere (Foundation Ushuaia).

FORM OF CONTRIBUTIONS
This 'call for contributions; is addressed simultaneously to
researchers and institutes in Europe, North America,
Australia, and Asia. The deadline for receipt of contributions
is 30 September 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT 
Pierre Le Roux
Projet 'Grand Sud', Operation Birds on Southeast Asia
Prince of Songkla University
Patani Campus
Patani 94000
Thailand
Tel: +66-71-334292 
Fax: +66-73-335128