THE ROLES OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS IN MANAGING HUMAN BEHAVIOURS IN A WON MASS WEDDING FESTIVAL OF SHAO PEOPLE
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Date
2018
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Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin
Abstract
The essence of traditional dances to the people of Africa cannot be over¬emphasised. This is because of its cultural, social- political and economic importance to national development. Dance serves as a means of information, education and entertainment. It also performs a therapeutic function in some cultures in Africa and other parts of the world. However, it is observed that Awon dance which is an integral part of Awonga festival of Shao people in Kwara State, has not been given adequate intellectual and scholarly attention when compared to other traditional dances in Africa. This paper, therefore, examines the significance of Awon dance in Awonga festival of Shao people in Kwara State. The study employs participant¬observation and interview methods. After a careful exploration of main themes and tendencies within Awon dance, it has come to the fore in this study that Awon dance contributes to positive change in behaviours and cultural emancipation of the people of Shao in particular and Kwara state in general. This study, therefore, concludes that there is need to revive the dying culture in Awon dance within the context of African traditional dances.
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Keywords
Dance, Cultural festival, Mass wedding, Behavioural change