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La Habana, November 4th – In a significant gathering in Havana, researchers from Haiti, Cuba, and France came together as part of the Cubayiti Research Network, a collaboration dedicated to uncovering the anthropological histories of Haiti and Cuba. The network, with over a decade of collective research, seeks to shed light on the region’s shared cultural and anthropological legacy.
The Cubayiti initiative focuses on tracing the development of anthropological thought and practice in both Haiti and Cuba, aiming to integrate these findings within a larger Latin American context. Niurka Núñez, a leading figure for the Cuban side of the transnational project, emphasized that this collaborative effort aligns with broader regional efforts to document Latin American anthropological trajectories.
The event commenced with French researcher Maud Laethier presenting an overview of Haitian anthropology and its role in national identity building from the late 19th century through the 1950s. Laethier highlighted key historical elements that shaped Haiti’s anthropological approaches, with a focus on how the field has influenced Haitian society and its self-perception over time.
French anthropologist Kali Argyriadis then examined the intellectual development of anthropology in Cuba, focusing on racial dynamics and the evolution of the discipline in response to social and political shifts. Argyriadis detailed the debates and challenges surrounding racial issues in Cuba, illuminating the complexities of racial discourse within Cuban anthropology.
The event, held at the Juan Marinello Cuban Institute of Cultural Research and the Cuban Institute of Anthropology, featured the involvement of various academic and cultural institutions. Representatives included the Linguistics and Discourse Laboratory and the Faculty of Ethnology from Haiti State University, alongside the French Institute of Research for Development and the Migration and Society Research Unit from the University of Paris. The international event was also supported by the French Embassy in Cuba and the French Alliance, underscoring the diplomatic and cultural ties supporting this trilateral research collaboration.
This event marks a significant step in deepening the understanding of Caribbean anthropology, providing valuable insights into the shared histories and unique paths of Haiti and Cuba in anthropological scholarship.
Source: Prensa Latina
