Karen François & Dylan Descamps, Etnowiskunde: Bourdieu toegepast op ongelijkheid binnen wiskundeonderwijs
Jan Willem ten Bruggencate – De Disneyficatie van Andersens Zeemeermin
Amber Idzinga – Nevel, boswezen, of dwalende ziel? Over de witte wieven en witte juffers in Nederlandse sagen
Luk Indesteege & Pieter Neirinckx, “Zijn wij erfgoed? Dat wist ik niet!” Ervaringen bij het verzamelen van immaterieel-erfgoedpraktijken in Belgisch-Limburg anno 2021-2024
Thomas Matei, La Fidélité (1798-1819). Pomologisch levenswerk van Jan-Baptist Van Mons (Brussel 1765 – Leuven 1842) en internationaal verspreidingscentrum van Belgische fruitrassen
Debora Plouy & Anaïs Verhulst, Jachthoornblazen op de Inventaris Vlaanderen van het Immaterieel Cultureel Erfgoed
Jeroen Reyniers, O.-L.-Vrouw Oorzaak onzer Blijdschap van Tongeren. Een middeleeuws fragment in omloop
Jose Tojo & Marlous van den Akker, “Deze Woorden Zijn Mijn Ankers”. Het Emanciperende Potentieel van Koloniale Taal
Pieter Deknudt, Reveil
Luk Indesteege & Pieter Neirinckx, “Are we heritage? I didn’t know!” Experiences while collecting intangible heritage practices in Belgian Limburg anno 2021-2024
Janna oud Ammerveld, “Hallo future!” An ethnography of the transition to a library of the future in Amsterdam Zuidoost within the SPRONG-project ‘Imaginations in transitions’
Dylan Descamps & Karen François – Ethnomathematics: Bourdieu applied to inequality within mathematics education
In this article, we apply the theoretical and philosophical framework of Bourdieu to a critical trend within the philosophy of mathematics education: ethnomathematics. This trend is subject to criticism regarding the interpretation of the concept of culture and existing power relations. Using Bourdieu’s work, we can address this criticism by elucidating the concept of culture and highlighting how power relations operate within institutionalized education, particularly in mathematics education. We demonstrate that mathematics is a culturally embedded practice, further explored through ethnographic research. The value of this study on local mathematics practices for education is emphasized by describing applications in computer science and the integration of these local mathematics practices into the maths curriculum. These projects have an emancipatory nature as they aim to contribute to the opportunities for learning for all students and bridge the gap between students from different backgrounds. The existence of bias is confirmed by international comparative research such as PISA. This article seeks to contribute to this emancipatory project by emphasizing the actual bias and indicating that recent scientific research can contribute to addressing this inequality.
Keywords: Bourdieu, mathematics education, ethnomathematics
Jan Willem ten Bruggencate – The Disneyfication of Andersen’s Little Mermaid
The following essay examines the differences between the three different versions of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid. The original version was written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, and the two movies that have been made by Walt Disney Studios are the animation film from 1989 and the live-action remake from 2023. The essay explains the differences between the three versions of the same story and says that society has changed in the sense of what we consider appropriate for the target audience regarding the showing of death and traditional gender roles. The essay also considers the surroundings in both movies compared to the written version of 1837, and that the racial diversity of the characters is an anachronism but reflects the social awareness of the Walt Disney Studios. This anachronism as portrayed by the Walt Disney Studios draws a lot of criticism that focuses on an unsubstantiated basis but can just as easily be voiced against future projects of Disney-movies that are rewritten versions of other popular fairy tales.
Amber Idzinga – Witte wieven (white ladies) in Dutch legends
This essay starts with the appearance of these creatures in a recent Dutch historical-horror film, Witte Wieven. It is unclear what these ambivalent and ambiguous creatures are. To shine a light on their characteristics and motives, an analysis has been conducted in the Volksverhalenbank. Using motif types for folklore stories by twentieth-century researcher Sinninghe, and with supportive arguments by various works, it is possible to make a distinction between two groups within these white ladies. On the one hand, the misty and powerful women creatures from the woods, who might be related to elves and faeries in other folktales. On the other hand, the appearances of deceased women in places where humans live or have lived. Lastly, this essay looks back to the creatures seen in the film, and it is made clear that the powerful beings living in the woods within the world of Witte Wieven, are the type of the older, more mystical beings, rather than simply appearances of deceased ladies.
Thomas Matei – La Fidélité (1798-1819). Pomological life work of Jan-Baptist Van Mons (Brussels 1765 – Leuven 1842) and international dissemination centre of Belgian fruit varieties
Since 2021, the Brussels-based organization Bûûmplanters has been engaged in the reconstruction of the experimental orchard La Fidélité (1798-1819). The orchard was located in the centre of 19th century Brussels and founded by scientist J.B. Van Mons (Brussels 1765 – Leuven 1823). The catalogue of fruit varieties in this pomological collection was published in 1823 and forms the basis for the projects’ international search for existing varieties of apple, pear, prune, cherry and peach. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientists’ approach to pomology and their research on the significance of their global activities. Van Mons collected and shared scions of varieties with various colleagues and horticultural societies. The history of this orchard is connected to Van Mons life as a leading scientist and his role in Brussels’ higher social echelons. The collection of varieties in the orchards reflects the national fame and network, wherein several nations are represented with one or more varieties. Van Mons’ pomological experiments resulted in hundreds of new varieties, some of which are still popular today. His work and renown inspired the next generations of pomologues and paved the way for the golden age of pomology in the second half of the 19th century. The project today is focused on shedding light onto this fascinating and multilayered history, as well as giving fruit trees their rightful place in the urban ecosystem.
Debora Plouy & Anaïs Verhulst – Playing the French hunting horn on the Flemish Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage
The musical art of playing the French hunting horn was inscribed on the Flemish Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. In 2024, also the playing of Fürst-Pless- and Parforce hunting horn was inscribed on that list. To illustrate the importance of ethnomusicological fieldwork in safeguarding musical practices, this article discusses the processes that led to these recognitions.
In safeguarding intangible heritage, it is crucial that heritage communities retain control over their practices, deciding what to transmit and how. Heritage institutions can facilitate the safeguarding. To do so, CEMPER adapted existing models to explore the viability and sustainability of music traditions and applied these to the hunting horn practices in Flanders. Bringing the expertise of heritage professionals and the bottom-up initiative of the heritage communities together, fieldwork turned out to be a key tool to engage the Flemish groups who play the hunting horn to identify the tradition’s strengths and weaknesses, and to assist the communities in developing appropriate safeguarding actions for hunting horn in Flanders, Belgium.
Jeroen Reyniers – O.-L.-Vrouw Oorzaak onzer Blijdschap van Tongeren. A medieval fragment in circulation
On 16 March 2023, Jeroen Reyniers delivered a lecture on relics in the basilica of Tongres (Tongeren). Among the many attendees was a citizen named Christiaan Doucet. After the lecture, he proudly presented the speaker a fragment of the basilica’s famous statue of Our Lady. The medieval Mary statue is rare and indispensable. Since 2017, it has been protected as an important piece of cultural heritage and is included in the list of Flemish masterpieces (Vlaamse Topstukkenlijst). Christiaan did not damage the statue, but received the piece from his mother years ago. It came into her possession in 1946 when the medieval sculpture fell to the ground. Fragments of the statue’s forehead were up for grabs at the time. Christiaan’s mother took a piece home, and then it has developed its own significance. Since 1946, the fragment has been considered as a relic and Christiaan always carries the piece of wood with him in his wallet. As a result of this event, Christiaan was interviewed about his personal treasure.
The conversation brought to light that Christiaan attends the seven-yearly Coronation Festivities (Kroningsfeesten) in Tongres each time and views the large medieval statue in the Basilica on a weekly basis. He is curious whether his object is indeed from the statue, but he ultimately decided not to investigate further. The process is costly and requires sacrificing a piece that he cannot retrieve afterwards, as it must be burned in the laboratory to obtain results. Nevertheless, Christiaan is convinced that the fragment in his wallet originates from the important statue. It also emerged that several other fragments from 1946 are still circulating in Tongres. Christiaan is considering to donate his treasure back to the Basilica of Tongres in the future. As a devout man, he spoke extensively about the emotional value of his fragment and the importance of Our Lady in his life.
Jose Tojo & Marlous van den Akker – “These Words Are My Anchors”. The Emancipating Potential of Colonial Language
This essay addresses the question of how Maroons from Suriname, whilst being confronted with discrimination and marginalization, negotiate their cultural identity. The work is based on a heritage application submitted to KIEN, the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage, which oversees national coordination of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2023, one of the authors of the essay requested KIEN to add Maroon dance, music and oral traditions to the organization’s Heritage Network (i.e. an online overview of cultural practices performed in the Netherlands). The submission ended up on the desk of the other author of this work, an anthropologist, where it initially sparked feelings of discomfort. From the latter’s point of view, the application read as a colonial text that relied on an idiom reminding of white domination and oppression. This unease then led to conversations between the two authors, together exploring the matter. This essay is about how this dialogue evolved and discusses the complex interactions between processes of self-representation, stigmatization, the internalization of colonial world views and convictions, and emancipation. The application attempts to contextualize the KIEN application regarding how colonial pasts continue to shape contemporary social relations, for instance in terms of racism, colourism and the ongoing effects of divide and rule tactics. The essay describes how both authors’ perspectives eventually shifted, and it argues that true decolonization can only begin at the most personal level. That is, in connections between one human being and another, and where attentive listening, willingness, mutual respect and meeting in middle grounds gets priority over actual tangible output.
Pieter Deknudt – Reveil
The author founded Reveil, a non-profit organisation aiming to warm Flemish mourning culture. Starting with a song for a late colleague, it evolved into a movement extending beyond Flanders. COVID-19 highlighted the need for comfort and recognition in mourning. Reveil organizes consolation concerts and supports cities, organizations, and companies in fostering a comforting environment. The initiative began with a tribute to Robbie van Eeckhout and has grown to involve numerous communities. Reveil combines local traditions with scientific insights, emphasizing the importance of recognition and community in healthy grieving. It now functions as a hub for mourning-related knowledge and activities.
Luk Indesteege & Pieter Neirinckx – “Are we heritage? I didn’t know!” Experiences while collecting intangible heritage practices in Belgian Limburg anno 2021-2024
The Limburgs Volkskundig Genootschap (LVG) is not as old-fashioned as its name might suggest. This association of heritage workers has been inventorying and studying folk culture in Belgian Limburg for more than thirty years. In 2021, LVG started a new challenge: visiting, collecting and portraying a hundred living customs and traditions in the province of Limburg on their website. The project was called Beleving. It was carried out with support from the Flemish government. The most important aspects of the project are systematically described, such as working with professional partners and volunteers, finding and selecting the various types of traditions across the province of Limburg. The project progress is also discussed: from the initial idea, through the design and preparation to the implementation and evaluation of the process and the results achieved. The partnership includes professional heritage organizations as well as others such as a training institution, a local television and a university college. The collaboration with such a diverse consortium offers numerous advantages and points of interest. The implementation involves a lot of volunteers and students. They were provided with specific training and individual guidance. Including 20% of the heritage practices of the ethnic-cultural minorities present in Limburg was the greatest challenge, however.
The project also provides a comparison with an analogous inventory that LVG carried out with a local newspaper in 2002-2004. This comparison shows connections and evolutions, but also the influence of the COVID-19-waves that crossed the project. The findings of the project are enhanced by the experiences of the heritage bearers interviewed and the volunteers who conducted the interviews.
The conclusion is hopeful: heritage practices are alive and well among young, old and new residents in Limburg, in cities and villages. They are taking on new forms in today’s rapidly changing world.
Janna oud Ammerveld – “Hallo future!” An ethnography of the transition to a library of the future in Amsterdam Zuidoost within the SPRONG-project ‘Imaginations in transitions’
This article introduces new research which focuses on the just and inclusive transition towards a “library of the future” in Amsterdam-Zuidoost as part of the SPRONG project “Imaginations in Transitions.” Through the use of ethnographic methods, it follows the work of the Openbare Bilbiotheek Amsterdam (OBA) in designing the inclusive transition to its future library ‘OBA Next’ with the help of creative methods facilitated by the SPRONG network infrastructure. Inspired by adrienne maree brown’s concepts of emergent strategy and social justice in transitions, the research addresses the following questions: What futures are imagined within SPRONG at OBA Next, by whom, and based on what values? What needs to be given up to reimagine inclusively? How does OBA Next relate to the existing social ecosystem of Zuidoost, and how is this relationship shaped? Who gains agency through the SPRONG project in shaping OBA Next, and how and why? How is learning facilitated within SPRONG at OBA Next during the transition process? The research employs participant observation, deep listening, and interviews, focusing on interactions within the OBA Next lab in Zuidoost and the broader community of Amsterdam-Zuidoost. The goal is to contribute to a more inclusive and just library of the futures that meets the needs of its diverse users.