International Society for Ethnology and Folklore
Professional association for ethnology and folklore scholars worldwide.
The International Society for Ethnology and Folklore (SIEF) is a professional association of scholars in ethnology, folklore studies, and cultural anthropology, based in Amsterdam at the Meertens Institute. Established in 1964 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), it succeeded the Commission des Arts et Traditions Populaires (CIAP), founded in 1928 in Prague under the League of Nations. SIEF fosters professional networks and stimulates research through biennial congresses and a General Assembly.
- Founded
- 1964
- Location
- Amsterdam, at the Meertens Institute
- Field
- Ethnology, folklore studies, cultural anthropology
- Membership
- Approximately 800 members
- President
- Marie Sandberg (Denmark, tenure began 2021)
- Affiliations
- American Folklore Society, European Association of Social Anthropologists, World Council of Anthropological Associations
- Journals
- Ethnologia Europaea (biannual), SIEF Newsletter (biannual)
Lore & Background
SIEF is associated with the American Folklore Society and the European Association of Social Anthropologists, and it is a member of the World Council of Anthropological Associations. These connections help facilitate cross-disciplinary and international collaboration among its members.
Reader's Guide
SIEF serves as a key institutional hub for scholars of ethnology, folklore, and cultural anthropology, particularly in Europe. Its biennial congresses and working groups provide structured venues for research exchange and professional networking. The society's journals, Ethnologia Europaea and Cultural Analysis, offer peer-reviewed outlets for scholarship in these fields. By maintaining ties with major anthropological and folklore organizations, SIEF helps integrate European ethnological traditions into global academic discourse. Its membership of approximately 800 indicates a moderate but active scholarly community. The society's historical roots in the League of Nations-era CIAP underscore its long-standing role in formalizing the study of folk traditions. For researchers, SIEF represents both a professional home and a platform for advancing interdisciplinary work on cultural heritage, ritual, and everyday life.
Did You Know?
- It is based at the Meertens Institute in Amsterdam.
- The society's official journal is Ethnologia Europaea, and it also publishes a newsletter.
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