Ethnologist and filmmaker Jean Rouch, who died in 2004, is one of the theorists and founders of visual anthropology: a follower of direct cinema, he is most widely known for his ethnographical films on African peoples such as the Dogon. The International Jean Rouch Festival is an opportunity to discover some of his work and dozens of other ethnological films.

Agenda

Created in March 1982, the Festival International Jean Rouch celebrates its 30th anniversary with one-off events scheduled in different parts of Paris, France, and Niger, from November 5 to 26.

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Soropedia

Focus this week on the languages of populations whom Jean Rouch worked on:

– the Dogon, one one hand, to whom he dedicated several films. The Dogon language family counts around 20 languages

– the Songhay, one the other hand, subject of one of his books. Access the Songhay languages sheet and two of its languages: Korandjé and Tasawaq.

A deep bow to Lameen Souag for his precious help on these description sheets.

Videos this week

In Senegal with the Menik

After a few weeks spent in New Caledonia among the Kanak, in Xârâcùù language, we return east to Senegal for an introduction to colors in Menik language, with Marie.

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In Spanish, return to the Punu in Gabon

A rich set of Punu language newly subtitled videos featured this week for Spanish speakers: why the decline of Punu, resaons for safeguarding the Mwmbwang epic, the Mwmbwang epic in two episodes, the mourners, new words, and little words for everyday use.

Save the date

November 18-20, 2011: Language Documentation and Linguistic Theory conference, SOAS, London

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November 30, 2011: Contribution submission deadline for the European conference on plurilingualism to be held in October 2012, Rome

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