02/07/2026 15:00 - 17:10

HALL: Pola - A206b

Contact: Kaminska-Jones D.

Chair: Granziera P.

Black goddesses in many cultures have historically emerged as figures venerated by groups excluded from mainstream society. In some of the earliest recorded traditions, for example, the Hindu goddess Kali was worshipped by thieves and social outcasts. Similar patterns can be observed across diverse cultures worldwide. In contemporary contexts, the rise of Santa Muerte has likewise been closely associated with marginalised populations, including socially suppressed groups and criminalised communities. Although cults devoted to such goddesses sometimes gain more institutional or socially accepted forms, the Black Goddess continues to function as an empowering symbolic figure for oppressed and disenfranchised groups.
In the modern era, cross-cultural exchanges have further expanded the reach of this archetype. Black goddesses such as Kali have been adopted in Western contexts, where they often serve new emancipatory functions. For instance, Kali has become an empowering archetype for older women confronting age-based discrimination. By invoking her as a figure of strength and transgressive power, these women assert claims to equality and social visibility within cultures dominated by ideals of youthfulness.
This panel seeks to examine the Black Goddess archetype across cultures, focusing on its role in promoting empowerment, equality, and recognition for oppressed and minority groups within different societies.
We invite scholars to contribute to this discourse by submitting original research papers or case studies addressing various dimensions of this intricate subject. We seek in-depth, scholarly papers from diverse theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary perspectives.