Background

The Nilo-Saharan Linguistics Colloquium (NISA) is a series of biannual conferences organized by universities that run courses in African Studies, specializing in Nilo-Saharan languages such as Zarma of Niger and Nigeria, Luo and Maasai of East Africa, Kanuri and Ngambay of Chad, Dinka of Sudan, Nubian of Egypt and Sudan, Nuer of South Sudan and Ethiopia, Lugbara of Uganda and DRC, Teso of Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda, among others. The 17th Nilo-Saharan Linguistics Colloquium will be hosted by Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam) from August 18th to August 20th in 2025. Names of the four Nilo-Saharan languages of Tanzania, the hosting country, include Maa (Maasai), Akie (Dorobo), Dholuo (Luo) and Datooga (Datog or Tatur). These languages are mainly spoken in Arusha, Iringa, Manyara, Morogoro, Simiyu, Singida, Tabora and Tanga regions of Tanzania.     

Mode of Delivery 

Since the Local Organizing Committee would like the specialists of Nilo-Saharan languages to meet in person in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), the mode of delivery of the colloquium shall be physical. 

Participants 

NISA-17 targets to be attended by 100 participants from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America where courses on African languages in general and Nilo-Saharan languages in particular are offered. NISA-17 expects more than 60 presentations to be delivered, with an average of 20 presentations per day. Thus, we propose two concurrent sessions to be organized per day. 

Workshops 

NISA-17 expects to organize the maximum of two workshops, which shall be selected among the submitted workshop proposals. The themes of the workshops shall be selected by respective organizers of the workshops. The selection of the workshops will be made by the Local Organizing Committee.   

Keynote Speakers 

  1. Prof. Jane Ngala Odour – University of Nairobi (Kenya)
  2. Prof. Didier Demolin –University Paris 3 (France)
  3. Dr. Michael Karani – University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
  4. Prof. Rolland Kiessling – Hamburg University (Germany) 

Important Dates 

Workshop proposal submission:                        30th December 2024 

Workshop proposal acceptance:                        15th January 2025 

Abstract submission:                                           20th January – 20th February 2025 

Abstract acceptance:                                           25th March 2025 

Conference dates:                                              18th – 20th August 2025

Local Organizing Committee 

  1. Dr. Margreth Kibiki – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  2. Prof. Amani Lusekelo – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  3. Dr. Kuria Mdoe – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  4. Dr. Loveluck Muro – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  5. Prof. Devet Goodness – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  6. Dr. Rodrick Ndomba – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  7. Dr. Mary Charwi – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  8. Dr. Jonace Manyasa – Dar es Salaam University College of Education (University of Dar es Salaam)
  9. Dr. Zipha Ombijah – Centre for Communication Studies (University of Dar es Salaam)
  10. Dr. Michael Karani – Centre for Communication Studies (University of Dar es Salaam)

Registration Fee 

  • Professors/Lecturers:    USD 80 (TZS 200,000)
  • Students:                      USD 40 (TZS 100,000) 

Contact

Local Organizing Committee:           nisa_17@duce.ac.tz 

Prof Amani Lusekelo – amani.lusekelo@udsm.ac.tz& Dr. Margreth Kibiki – kibiki65@gmail.com 

Accommodation

  1. Salvation Army Mgulani Hostels (Taifa Road)
  2. Peacock Hotel (Posta/Mnazimmoja Street)
  3. Durban Hotels (Ilala/Mnazimmoja Street)