actualite

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Centre of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology CRASC Oran

First International Conference

The Mountain as a Subject of Research: Between Symbolism and Field-Based Approaches.

Oran, 1^st -02^nd December 2026

Preamble :

The mountain as a scientific subject is not a recent phenomenon; for decades, it has constituted a rich field for multidisciplinary academic research. In the latter decades of the twentieth century, the study of the relationship between humans and mountain regions witnessed significant development, particularly with regard to the interaction between socio-economic activities and the natural environment. During this period, a specific interest emerged regarding the impact of tourism on mountain environments, especially in the Austrian and Swiss Alps, where advanced analytical models such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were employed. This led to these models subsequently being adopted in studies applied to other mountain regions, such as China and Kenya. The research focus then evolved to encompass the relationship between mountain communities and their environment, in terms of adaptation, sustainability, and identity.

Academic interest in mountains did not stop there but continued to the end of the 1980s with the publication of the book The Himalayan Dilemma: Reconciling Development and Conservation by Ives and Messerli. The researchers pointed to the deterioration of the Himalayan environment, the decline of its forest cover, and the reduction of its water resources.

Following this period, the field of mountain studies expanded to include the establishment of research centres such as the Mountain Research Center at the University of Montana in the United States, alongside the emergence of a number of periodicals and journals like the Journal of Alpine Research. This was complemented by numerous audio-visual and digital programmes, such as those by National Geographic, which dedicated significant coverage to mountains.

Subsequently, mountain research continued to develop, and global interest in mountains grew amongst international organisations and institutions such as UNESCO, the UN (LONU), the FAO, and Greenpeace. Mountains became a significant focal point, featuring in a dedicated chapter of the report from the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. Furthermore, the year 2002 was designated as The International Year of Mountains.

This ever-expanding interest in the scale, scope, and fields of mountain studies generated a distinct form of attention from other parties and academic disciplines that had, until recently, considered themselves unconcerned with the study of mountains. However, with the shift in perspectives and the proliferation of ideas focused on mountains, the mountain itself has been transformed into a humanistic subject and a significant social, environmental, anthropological, political, legal, and economic issue for various academics within these fields.

Furthermore, studies on mountains in Algeria have not been isolated from the global context. Indeed, there are numerous scholars and researchers who have focused on the mountain as a subject of study and investigation. A significant number of articles addressing the topic of the Algerian mountain in its entirety have been published, such as those in Issue 53 of the journal Insaniyat.

This issue provided a comprehensive overview of mountains in Algeria through a pivotal article by Marc Côté, notably through his works which laid the theoretical foundations for the concept of "mountainity" (montagnéité) (Marc Côté, 2015).

For instance, a researcher in toponymy finds the mountain a rich field replete with names of diverse significations, reflecting human interaction with the natural space. The mountain also constitutes a fertile ground for natural scientists, environmentalists, geologists, and geographers, owing to the varied physical and environmental data it provides. Historians and archaeologists find in it a rich record of artefacts and monuments that reflect the lives of ancient and contemporary humans; mountain rocks have often served as a space for engraving, writing, and symbolic expression, acting as a means of preserving memory and human identity (A. Taïesh, 2015).

The relationship between the mountain and the religious or divine dimension is no different. Various religions and their sacred texts have referenced the mountain, considering it a divine creation with a special status. According to some texts, the mountain is God's second creation and was endowed with numerous functions and miracles (Bernbaum, 1998). It is a place of revelation and divine communication, as in the story of Moses (peace be upon him) on Mount Sinai (Al-Tur), and the setting for performing a pillar of the Hajj (the standing at Arafat). This establishes the mountain as a space of sanctity and religious symbolism (A. Kedar, 2022).

However, the mountain is not devoid of associations with the profane. Numerous myths and legends have been woven around it in multiple cultures, reflecting the dual symbolism of the mountain as both sacred and fearsome, both inspiring and arduous.

From an anthropological and sociological perspective, the mountain offers significant potential and scope for study at multiple levels concerning the culture, heritage, and identity of mountain dwellers. This includes their customs, traditions, conventions, patterns of habitation, daily subsistence, movements and mobility, migrations, and their means of social integration or forms of marginalisation and exclusion. These approaches enable a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and the mountain environment as a space for living, symbolism, and belonging.

On the other hand, literature in its various genres presents an important image of the mountain. Many stories have been woven and novels written (e.g., Al-Taher Wattar, 1974), and memoirs and travelogues concerning mountains have been documented. Poetic verses are replete with, and poets' imaginations have never failed in, describing mountains in terms of age, height, beauty, severity, ruggedness, and more (e.g., Mouloud Feraoun, 1950).

Furthermore, the mountain serves as a fertile theatre for artistic studies. Early man immortalised his memory and identity through arts such as sculpture, painting, and engravings. These works have endured as important landmarks and archaeological documents, indicative of many aspects of his condition and reflective of a significant part of his civilisation, life, and subsistence (Hachid, 1998; Lhote, 1958; Slimani, 2006).

From a psychological perspective, the mountain has also piqued the interest of psychologists. It has, therefore, been a viable subject for psychological discussion concerning the relationship between the individual's inner self and the mountain, and the repercussions of this on sensation and feeling, amongst other things.

From a political and legal standpoint, mountains have similarly constituted a subject for research and study, as many—particularly those in strategic locations—have been and continue to be the sites of disputes and conflicts between states (Debarbieux & Rudaz, 2015). Numerous agreements and treaties have been brokered concerning them, making the mountain a fertile and important field for research into geopolitical, legal, and rights-based dimensions (Rudaz, G., 2009).

In economics, the mountain is a significant focal point for debates on avenues for mountain development, as well as the livelihood of inhabitants and their means of subsistence through various trades, crafts, agriculture, pastoralism, and so forth. Interest has also grown in mountain tourism and the associated tourism industry, due to its economic and social impact on mountain communities (Mutana, S., & Mukwada, G., 2018).

Finally, sport and athletes also have a share of the interest in mountains, as they form an ideal arena for numerous mountain sports such as climbing, skiing, long-distance trekking, and high-altitude races (Ebert & Robertson, 2007). In this way, sportspeople share with other stakeholders from various disciplines and approaches an interest in the mountain as a domain, a subject, an influence, and a human landmark. It possesses spiritual, sacred, and mythical dimensions and has remained, and will continue to remain, a presence in the life of both ancient and modern humans—a perennial subject for research and study by those who are interested, researchers, explorers, and enthusiasts alike.

Furthermore, from a medical perspective, the mountain is considered an effective space for therapy, psychological rest, and convalescence (Iberraken, F., 2011).

In general, the primary aspiration of this conference is to facilitate the sharing of insights amongst various researchers from diverse disciplines and approaches to analyse and deconstruct the central concern of the mountain. Despite the epistemological boundaries between these various fields, the mountain remains a crucial domain for networking and intersection between these sciences, approaches, and different perspectives. Thus, an approach focused on the mountain grants us the possibility for interdisciplinary treatment that transcends individual disciplines and specialists.

Furthermore, through this international conference, we aim to broaden the horizons of cooperation towards larger, more expansive relationships, both geographically and conceptually, by establishing cooperation agreements with international centres dedicated to mountain studies. We also intend to ensure the activation of these agreements through the launch of specific research projects on this subject.

Conference Axes

• Axis 1: Mountain Toponymy (Place Names)
  • Mountain Names: Significance and Meaning
• Axis 2: The Natural (Ecological) and Geographical Dimension of Mountains
  • Mountain Geology
  • Mountain Biology
  • Mountains and the Environment
  • Mountains and Geography
• Axis 3: The Religious Dimension of Mountains
  • Mountains and Religion
  • Mountains and Divine Miraculousness
  • Mountains and Mysticism
  • The Mountain Between the Sacred and the Profane
• Axis 4: Mountains in History and Archaeology
  • Mountains in Local, National, and Human History
  • Mountain Archaeology

• Axis 5: Mountains in Anthropology and Literary Studies
  • Mountains, Myths, and Legends
  • Mountain Customs and Traditions
  • Mountain Culture and Heritage
  • Mountains, Habitation, and Subsistence (Caves and Grottos, Collective Granaries)
  • Mountains in Literature, across Genres, Story, and Poetry
  • Mountains and the Arts (Sculpture, Painting...)
• Axis 6: The Sociology of the Mountain
  • Mountain Societies
  • Mountain Dwellers: Culture and Identity
  • Mountain Dwellers: Mobility and Migration
  • Mountain Dwellers: Between Integration and Marginalisation
• Axis 7: The Psychology of the Mountain
  • The Individual and the Mountain
• Axis 8: Mountains in Geopolitics and Law
  • Mountains as Politically Strategic Domains
  • International Border Conflicts and Disputes over Mountains
  • Laws, Charters, and Treaties Concerning Disputed Mountains
• Axis 9: The Mountain and the Economy
  • The Economy of Mountain Dwellers
  • Mountains and Development
  • Mountain Tourism
• Axis 10: Mountains and Sport

Terms and Conditions for Participation

1. The research must address one of the conference's axes.
2. The research must be original and must not have been previously published or presented at any other conference or seminar.
3. The research paper must not exceed 20 pages (A4), including appendices and references.
4. Citations must follow the APA This means the citation is placed directly after the quote, reference, or allusion, written in parentheses (Author's Surname, Initial of second name. Year of publication: Page number). Example: (Geertz, C. 2002: 56).
5. All sources and references used must be listed in an academic format at the end of the paper.
6. The paper must be typed using ‘Traditional Arabic’ font, size 16 for the main Arabic text and size 12 for Arabic footnotes. For French text, use ‘Times New Roman’ font, size 14 for the main text and size 10 for footnotes.
7. Conference languages: Arabic / French / English.

Mail contact: montagne@crasc.dz

1. Important Dates and Deadlines
2. Announcement of the Conference: 20^th June 2026.
3. Deadline for receipt of abstracts and CVs: 30^th August 2026.
4. Deadline for notification of abstract acceptance: 10^th September 2026.
5. Deadline for submission of full papers: 10^th October 2026.
6. Dates of the International Conference: 1^st -02^nd December 2026.

Notes:

• Participation will only be scheduled upon receipt of the complete paper. Selected papers will be published in edited volumes with international serial identifiers (ISBN/ISSN).

Participation Fees

To be paid by the participants:

- Local participants: 6.000 DA (registration fee, lunch, and coffee breaks)

- National participants: 25.000 DA (registration, lunch, breaks, and accommodation)

- International participants: 200€ (registration, lunch, breaks, and accommodation).

Except for local transportation, all other travel expenses are the responsibility of the participants.

Conference President:

• Professor Ammar Manaa, Director of the Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Oran (Algeria).

Scientific Committee:

• El Hadi Bououchma, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Research Director Bachiri Hamza, Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Oran, Algeria.
• Saleh Zeraib, University of Batna 1, Algeria.
• Bachir Lamouri, University of Biskra / Institute of Geology, University of Batna 1, Algeria.
• Research Director Sara Hedia Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Oran, Algeria.
• Research Director Saliha Senouci, Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Oran, Algeria.
• Farid Marhoum, Abou Bakr Belkaid University of Tlemcen, Algeria.
• Taoufik Belhareth, Tunisian Association for Urban Studies, Tunisia.
• Karim Kateb, University of Continuing Education, Oran, Algeria.
• Juan Ignacio Robles Picón, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Spain.
• Tarik Ghodbani, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Mohamed Ben Ahmed University of Oran, Algeria.
• Djamel Arfar, Institute of Sociology, University of Mascara, Algeria.
• Maha Messaoudene, Graduate School of Architecture, Algeria.
• Al Khader Abdul Baqi Mohammed, Director, Nigerian Centre for Arabic Research, Nigeria.
• Hayette Nemouchi, Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Algeria.
• Zendri Abdel Nabi, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Siham Cherif, University of Algiers 2, Algeria.
• Issad Faiza Zerhouni, Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University of Mostaganem, Algeria.
• Kedida Mohammed Mebarek, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Thyakka El Siddek, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Nwacer Abdel Rahman, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Hinnouni Ramadan, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Heggari Mohamed, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Mazin Marsool Muhammad, Al-Mustansiriya University, Iraq.
• Afrah Jassim Mohammed, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
• Akeel Almarai, University of Siena, Italy.
• Alessandra Persichetti, University of Siena, Italy.
• Badrane Ben Lahcen, Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Qatar University, Qatar.
• Mohamed Jouili, University of Tunis, Tunisia.
• Shafika Waeil, University of Nizwa, Oman.
• Masouda Ben Masoud, University of Tamanghasset, Algeria.
• Abdullah Abdi Ahmed El-Fateh, Somalia Research and Policy Studies Center, Somalia.
• Moussa Tababi, Higher Institute of Humanities, University of La Manouba, Tunisia.
• Ahmed Mohamed El-Amine Andari, University of Islamic Sciences, Mauritania.

Organising Committee: Research Centre in Social and Cultural Anthropology (CRASC), Oran, Algeria

• Hamza Bachiri, Nassima Triki, Sabrina Badra Fahas, Sid Ahmed Djoudi, Abdelouahab Boureguig, Amine Sebaa, Amel Ait Said, Nesma Amarchouh, Besma Dinaoui, Dris Laala, Ilyes Bakir

Mail contact: montagne@crasc.dz