AKU-ISMC hosts seminar by Professor Michel Boivin

Professor Michel Boivin introduced his multidisciplinary approach to research about pilgrimages in South Asia.

On the 9th of January, AKU-ISMC hosted a seminar by Professor Michel Boivin of the Centre for South Asian Studies, School of Advanced Studies of Social Sciences, University of Paris. Boivin explored a multidisciplinary approach to research conducted about pilgrimages (ziyarat) in South Asia, with a focus on the area of Sehwan Sharif as a case study.

After receiving his PhD in Oriental and Islamic Studies from Sorbonne University, Boivin became a research fellow at the Centre for Indian and South Asian Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études and the Centre National de la Recherches Scientifiques where he is currently based. Boivin also teaches modern history of the Middle East and South Asia at the University of Savoie (Chambéry).

Boivin’s current research focuses on Islam and charismatic religion in modern Sindh. He has completed a project on the modern history of the Ismailis of the region and is presently looking at the traditions associated with Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a Sufi saint from the area. His other areas of research include the evolution of territories and communities in post-1947 Karachi, the shaping of renewed identities in the Sindhi diaspora and orientalism.

The audience included students, faculty and guests of the Institute.

During the seminar, Boivin introduced his research on Sehwan Sharif and traditions based around the 13th century Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, whose mausoleum dominates the city. Boivin explained that pilgrimages (known as ziyarat) are historically a very important feature of the cultural landscape of the area, centred on Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and other local Sufi saints’ mausoleums.

Speaking about the methodology used when undertaking the project, Boivin explained the difficulty of conceptualising Sufi life and thought, due to the ever-changing meanings of the word ‘Sufi’. This lack of clarity, he suggested, does appear to be reducing.

Apart from those focused on South Asia, Boivin noted that books on pilgrimages or ziyarat exist throughout the Muslim world, but that these approach Sufism as a unique phenomena, failing to explore the impact of Sufism on arts, culture and society. Boivin’s research explores Sufism from a social-phenomenon point of view, allowing for a thorough investigation of the processes of integration by the local population.

Boivin explained the three basic elements of the project: history, arts and techniques (exploring archaeological and artistic tradition, the mausoleum, calligraphy, etc), social and anthropological (devotional expressions, contemporary representations of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, dance, music, etc) and mapping and topography (looking at Sehwan Sharif as a pilgrimage centre by mapping the monuments and itineries).

Boivin explained that, as part of social and anthropological research, the project also explores how outcast groups are treated by religion and how religion mirrors the history of the city. Based on this multidisciplinary approach, he explained that research into the values and traditions related to the mausoleum serve to reveal more about these communities, their public spaces and their significant rituals.

Online Resources*

• To listen to a recording (wma) of the seminar, please click here.

External Links**

• Centre National de la Recherches Scientifiques

* This recording is the property of Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, or otherwise use this recording in any way except for your own educational or personal non-commercial use. The views expressed by the speakers are their own personal views and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute.

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