Denis-Constant Martin

Denis-Constant Martin (1947-)[1] is a French political anthropologist and musicologist.

Biography

A graduate of the Institut d'études politiques de Paris and the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, he has two doctorates, both under the guidance of Georges Balandier. From 1969 to 2008, he was research director at the Centre de recherches internationales [fr]. A researcher at the "Centre d'étude d'Afrique noire"[2] of the Bordeaux University, he teaches political anthropology at the institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux and has also given courses in the music department of the Paris 8 University, but also, among others, in South Africa, Algeria, the United States and Kenya where in 1980 he founded and directed the "Institut de recherches en Afrique."[3]

Fields of research[edit]

Martin's work is mainly focused on two areas: Political sociology and Political anthropology, notably in Africa, and popular sociomusicology.

the Centre d'étude d'Afrique noire at Bordeaux University

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

He has written extensively about music and performance in Cape Town over the years, including important works on the Cape Town Coon Carnival.

His books included Coon Carnival, New Year in Cape Town, Past and Present (David Philip Publishers, 1999), Sounding the Cape: Music, identity and politics in South Africa (African Minds, 2013) and Cape Town Harmonies: Memory, Humour & Resilience (with Armelle Gaulier, African Minds, 2016).