African Performance Arts and Political Acts

African Performance Arts and Political Acts explores how African performance and the arts shape cultural history and politics through innovative formulations from various African countries and art forms. Essays focus on case studies from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 280 pages
\n Publication date: 28 October 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Michigan Press
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African Performance Arts and Political Acts is a groundbreaking collection of essays that explores the dynamic relationship between African performance and the arts and the narratives of cultural history and politics. Edited by Naomi André, Yolanda Covington-Ward, and Jendele Hungbo, this comprehensive volume brings together a diverse range of African countries and art forms, including speech, hip-hop, religious healing, gesture, theater, social justice, opera, radio announcements, protest songs, and migrant workers' dances. Spanning various spaces such as village communities, city landscapes, prisons, urban hostels, Township theaters, opera houses, and broadcasts through television, radio, and cyberspace, the essays in this collection offer in-depth case studies from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania.

The collection explores how African performance and the arts shape cultural narratives, challenge dominant ideologies, and advocate for social change. It highlights the role of performance in expressing cultural identity, resistance, and empowerment, as well as in fostering dialogue and understanding across cultural boundaries. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the essays provide valuable insights into the political and social contexts in which African performance and the arts thrive, shedding light on the complex interplay between art, politics, and society.

One of the key themes explored in the collection is the use of performance as a tool for political activism and social justice. The essays demonstrate how artists and performers use their platforms to raise awareness about important issues such as human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and social inequality. By using humor, storytelling, and visual imagery, they challenge the status quo and inspire audiences to take action.

Another notable aspect of the collection is its exploration of the role of the arts in promoting cultural heritage and identity. The essays highlight how African performance and the arts preserve and celebrate the rich cultural traditions of the continent, providing a means for younger generations to connect with their roots and understand their history. They also explore how the arts can be used to promote cultural exchange and understanding between different communities, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

The collection also addresses the challenges faced by African performance and the arts in the contemporary world. The essays discuss the impact of globalization, colonialism, and neoliberalism on the arts and culture of the continent, as well as the ways in which artists and performers are responding to these challenges. They explore the role of the arts in promoting social and political change, as well as in challenging dominant narratives and power structures.

In conclusion, African Performance Arts and Political Acts is a groundbreaking collection of essays that offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the role of African performance and the arts in shaping cultural history and politics. Through its diverse range of case studies and perspectives, the collection provides valuable insights into the complex and dynamic relationship between art, politics, and society in Africa. It is a must-read for scholars, artists, and anyone interested in understanding the power of performance and the arts in promoting social change and cultural heritage.

\n Weight: 478g\n
Dimension: 210 x 253 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780472054824\n \n