Developing Teaching Methods for Nigerian Dance through Technical and Academic Training
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Date
2020
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School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pwani Univeristy, Kilifi, Kenya
Abstract
This paper takes a look at the practice of dance in Nigeria from four major perspectives; the traditional, cultural, social and the academic. It discusses the aim and styles of performances from these perspectives. The paper observes that because most cultural dances are pulled from traditional dances, their performance styles in terms of movement style, vocabulary and choreography (even when rehearsed for the purpose of a showcase) have not changed significantly over the decades. Only the packaging and accessories undergo major change. Using descriptive and analytical methods the paper examines the contributions of the academic performers. The study concludes that if there will be a change in dance performance, we cannot look to the owners of these dances for the changes because they are too attached to the tradition while the social dancers are more interested in their personal pleasure. The change therefore has to come through the contribution of performing artists and dance scholars through sound technical and academic training.
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Keywords
Traditional Dances, Cultural Dances, Social Dances. Technical training, Academic training