dance repetition bodies moving through space in time

When looking at styles deemed to be “traditional” the following three categories can be helpful: Before one goes into the deeper analysis of the dances it can be helpful to pre-categorize them according to function and/or type.

This document acknowledges and appreciates the differences and contradictions that exist in and among the many cultures that are discussed throughout.Īfrican, African Diaspora, and TransAtlantic African Diaspora dances are many and have a wide range of categorizations. This simply means that these dances originate in Africa and share cultures where traditionally dance is integral to and central to the society. It is useful for the purposes of this document to speak about African culture as an entity. Generalizations about African dance as an absolute are inappropriate and inaccurate. An understanding of traditions must be what provides a foundation for contemporary expressions. African dance is theater in that it involves song, drama, masquerade traditions, and music. This guideline was developed while researching for the Talawa Technique which forms the basis for Tabanka Dance Ensembles movement vocabulary and technical training.Īfrican dance can be defined as a collection of dances that are imbued meaning, infused purposely with rhythm, and connected to the ritual, events, occasions, and mythologies of a specific people. If you are unsure or do not know how it fits into one point this provides you with a guideline as to what should be investigated further. Please categorize the dance/s in question by running it through these 22 points. This provides information that forms the foundation on which to dialogue and engage with the culture of origin, and can in some cases help with referencing, citing, and appropriating elements of the dance and culture in a way that does not lead to misappropriation and that is respectful of indigenous knowledge systems. It provides context and information that will help in assessing the nature and importance/function/significance of the dance, framing and cultural signifiers that go with it. This guide is a form with a set of questions/information through which the dance should be assessed, when trying to categorize dance from Africa and the Diaspora.

Dance repetition bodies moving through space in time