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The expression 'peoples without a voice or a place' refers to various geopolitical and cultural situations. The notion of 'voiceless peoples' is a political concept that describes marginalized communities whose ability to express themselves, demand rights, and participate in political and cultural decision-making is silenced by dominant power structures. While there is no universal obligation to have a place, there is a profound human need for one. In humanistic geography, as advocated by Yi-Fu Tuan, a clear distinction is made. Space is defined as the abstract, open, and unknown dimension, whereas place is understood as space that has acquired meaning through human experience.
The emergence of resistance movements and cultural struggles is indicative of a community's refusal to be erased by global homogenization, as represented by intangible heritage. Intangible heritage can be defined as a political act that serves to affirm the existence of a given group, thereby creating a barrier against the phenomenon of cultural alienation. Furthermore, it can be argued that intangible heritage functions as an existential praxis. The concept of cultural resistance is predicated on a rejection of reification. Postcolonial theorists have also posited that colonization imposes a 'single epistemology'. The preservation of indigenous languages, local dialects, and traditional medical knowledge serves to validate rationalities that have historically been silenced.
Intangible heritage has been demonstrated to function as a living archive of the oppressed, thereby providing a historical counter-narrative. The notion of cultural resistance does not entail a stagnation of the past. Intangible heritage is characterized by its dynamism and flexibility. In order to resist, local culture adapts and absorbs contemporary elements while retaining its essential structure of meaning.
The interdisciplinary panel invites contributors to engage with debates surrounding voiceless and stateless people, as well as resistance movements and cultural struggles. The panel also welcomes contributions that explore progressive postcolonial reflections in different geopolitical contexts.