A FUNCTIONALIST DISCOURSE OF THE INDIGENOUS DANCE THEATRE TRADITION IN AFRICA

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A FUNCTIONALIST DISCOURSE OF THE INDIGENOUS DANCE THEATRE TRADITION IN AFRICA

Journal Title: International Review of Humanities Studies - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 2

Abstract

This paper from participatory and critical perspectives, attempts a functionalist discourse investigation of the home-grown African dance tradition from a philosophical and sociological praxis. From an experiential vantage position, the thesis of the paper holds strongly that, as art forms, dances in Africa serve various functions; as catalysts for socio-political and economic transformation. Using Swange dance of the Tiv people from Central Nigeria as a paradigm, and from a functionalist point of view, the article sees African dances as contributing a greater part in uncountable ways in a positive transformation of the society. It also sees dance as a domain within the humankind that should be harnessed for greater and positive socio-political dividends. In conclusion, the article holds strongly that the efficacies of these indigenous African dances cannot be over emphasized considering the numerous functions these dances perform towards the socio-political and economic development of the African societies, because most of these dances have often acted as sites for staging various cultural histories as well as formulating ideology.

Authors and Affiliations

Tijime Justin Awuawuer

Keywords

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A FUNCTIONALIST DISCOURSE OF THE INDIGENOUS DANCE THEATRE TRADITION IN AFRICA

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EP ID EP549427
DOI 10.7454/irhs.v3i2.43
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