Humanities in Session | Hugo ka Canham and Edwige Tamale : Waterlogged Hauntings | 10 April 2025

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in its interdisciplinary approach, connecting historical events, material culture, and contemporary issues. The speakers provide detailed case studies, such as the São José shipwreck and the Swakopmund genocide memorial, which are well-researched and presented with nuance. The argumentation is strong, as they build a coherent theoretical framework around the concepts of water, sand, and haunting, drawing on scholars like Khabiba Badun, Isabel Hofmeyr, and Heather Davis. They effectively challenge traditional narratives of slavery and genocide by centering the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and they offer a compelling critique of the erasure of these histories. However, the talk is largely interpretive, and some claims are presented without direct evidence, relying on the authority of the speakers. The personal anecdotes and poetic language, while evocative, sometimes overshadow the analytical rigor. Overall, the presentation is intellectually stimulating and offers fresh perspectives on well-known topics.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speakers demonstrate scholarly rigor through their references to specific historical events, archaeological findings, and academic works. They mention scholars such as Khabiba Badun, Isabel Hofmeyr, and Heather Davis, and they cite the work of maritime archaeologists like Jaco Boshoff. The sources are credible, though the talk does not provide a formal bibliography. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on ‘waterlogged hauntings’ in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic. The discussion is well-structured, with each speaker presenting their research and engaging in dialogue. The talk is part of an academic seminar series, which adds to its credibility. However, the lack of explicit citations in the transcript makes it difficult to verify all claims, and the interpretive nature of the talk means that some arguments are more suggestive than definitive.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on 'waterlogged hauntings' in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic oceans, as discussed by the two speakers.

7/10

The talk is an academic seminar by two established scholars, drawing on their research and published work. They reference specific historical events, archaeological findings, and scholarly concepts, but the presentation is largely interpretive and theoretical, with limited direct citation of sources during the talk. The arguments are coherent and grounded in existing scholarship, but the lack of explicit references in the transcript reduces the verifiability of some claims.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Welcome and introduction by Marith, mentioning the Herds project.
• 05:00Formal introduction of speakers by Lindalwa Dumba and Sha Sufa.
• 10:00Hugo ka Canham begins his talk on water, corals, and sand, focusing on Clifton Beach and Swakopmund.
• 20:00Discussion of the São José slave shipwreck and the memorial ceremony with Makua elders.
• 30:00Canham discusses the genocide in Namibia and the Swakopmund cemetery, including the work of Leila Parig Gandha.
• 40:00Canham reflects on the uranium mining and the spiritual dimensions of the dead.
• 50:00Edwige Tamalet begins her presentation on the Mediterranean as a 'new middle passage'.
• 1:00:00Tamalet discusses the materiality of water and migration, drawing parallels with the slave trade.
• 1:10:00Q&A session begins, with audience questions and discussion.

• Centre for Humanities Research, UWC — The seminar is hosted by this center, and the website is provided in the video description.
• Centre for Humanities Research, UWC Facebook — The Facebook page is provided in the video description.

• Isabel Hofmeyr's work on the Indian Ocean — Canham explicitly references Hofmeyr's concept of the Indian Ocean as method, which aligns with his approach.
• São José slave shipwreck — The shipwreck is a central case study in Canham's presentation, and this source provides additional details.

• No discordant sources found — The talk does not directly contradict any known sources; it builds on existing scholarship.