Purpose and Focus

The Journal of Southern African Strings, one of the four pillars of the South African Strings Foundation (SASF), aims to serve as a driving force for innovative research in string performance and pedagogy within the context of Southern Africa.

Our goal is to share string-related knowledge that will broaden views, deepen contextual understandings, and stimulate ongoing, high-level learning within the Southern African Strings community.

This platform not only supports the establishment of a vibrant Southern African strings community but also seeks to give this community international reach and recognition while strengthening its connection to the academy.

Submission Topics

Whether as artefacts, tools, media for communication, works of art, extensions of the body, or practical solutions engineered in response to context and culturally specific needs, the stringed instruments we use hold clues valuable to our understanding of the Southern African Strings community.

As such, the second edition of the journal will explore this around the broad theme of luthierie. We welcome submissions on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Traditional and contemporary luthierie techniques

  • Historical development of Southern African stringed instruments

  • Local materials, methods, and innovations

  • Case studies on Indigenous Knowledge and practices in instrument construction

  • Innovations in stringed instrument building

  • The role of cultural heritage in luthierie

  • Comparative studies of Southern African stringed instruments with those from other regions

  • Pedagogical implications of instrument building and maintenance

  • Impact of technological advancements on traditional luthierie

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: 14 February 2025 16H00

Contributions can be in any of the following formats:

Articles/papers
(4 000 – 9 000 words)

Reviews/reports
(e.g., book, recording, performance, composition, conference)
(600 – 1 000 words)

Any contribution that does not fit in the abovementioned categories, but that is relevant to the scope of the journal and that is in a publishable format, will be considered.

All contributions will be subjected to a peer review process. For any queries about possible contributions and the submission process, please contact us at journal@sastrings.co.za.

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