The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama

With its distinctive form and content, African dance stands apart, carving out a unique identity that sets it apart from other continents. Its inherent rhythm possesses a magnetic quality capable of compelling people to move, transcending language barriers—an attribute that has propelled African mus...

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Main Author: Ovunda C. Ihunwo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Soegijapranata Catholic University 2023-12-01
Series:Celt: A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching & Literature
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.unika.ac.id/index.php/celt/article/view/4223
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author Ovunda C. Ihunwo
author_facet Ovunda C. Ihunwo
author_sort Ovunda C. Ihunwo
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description With its distinctive form and content, African dance stands apart, carving out a unique identity that sets it apart from other continents. Its inherent rhythm possesses a magnetic quality capable of compelling people to move, transcending language barriers—an attribute that has propelled African musicians, particularly those from Nigeria, to a dominating position on the global music stage. This paper delves into traditional African dance, explicitly focusing on the rhythmic opulence found in the dance of rattles, costumes, and water pots within Seki. This captivating dance drama pays homage to the vibrant culture of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, Africa. Authored by Yibo Koko, the Seki dance drama undergoes a transformative journey, skilfully repackaging the traditional village square theatre into a digitalized theatrical experience accessible both as a live performance and in the dynamic space of new media. The paper employs a robust methodology and theoretical framework, drawing on dance theories, historical surveys, and analytical reviews of Seki performances to unravel the nuanced layers of this artistic expression. In scrutinizing Seki, this paper not only sheds light on the captivating exploration of rhythmic elements, including rattles, costumes, and water pots, but also underscores the broader impact of Seki's performance. The dance drama is a compelling canvas that radiates colours and a flawless rhythm, capturing global attention and playing a pivotal role in restoring the splendour of African ancestry. Through this repackaged theatre experience, Seki becomes a vehicle for exporting African culture, offering a renewed perspective that transcends borders and celebrates the rich heritage embedded in the dance's vibrant tapestry.
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spelling doaj.art-fea175975d884145ba51fdacd4e13b522024-04-22T06:19:31ZengSoegijapranata Catholic UniversityCelt: A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching & Literature1412-33202502-49142023-12-0123233534510.24167/celt.v23i2.42232194The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance DramaOvunda C. Ihunwo0University of Port HarcourtWith its distinctive form and content, African dance stands apart, carving out a unique identity that sets it apart from other continents. Its inherent rhythm possesses a magnetic quality capable of compelling people to move, transcending language barriers—an attribute that has propelled African musicians, particularly those from Nigeria, to a dominating position on the global music stage. This paper delves into traditional African dance, explicitly focusing on the rhythmic opulence found in the dance of rattles, costumes, and water pots within Seki. This captivating dance drama pays homage to the vibrant culture of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, Africa. Authored by Yibo Koko, the Seki dance drama undergoes a transformative journey, skilfully repackaging the traditional village square theatre into a digitalized theatrical experience accessible both as a live performance and in the dynamic space of new media. The paper employs a robust methodology and theoretical framework, drawing on dance theories, historical surveys, and analytical reviews of Seki performances to unravel the nuanced layers of this artistic expression. In scrutinizing Seki, this paper not only sheds light on the captivating exploration of rhythmic elements, including rattles, costumes, and water pots, but also underscores the broader impact of Seki's performance. The dance drama is a compelling canvas that radiates colours and a flawless rhythm, capturing global attention and playing a pivotal role in restoring the splendour of African ancestry. Through this repackaged theatre experience, Seki becomes a vehicle for exporting African culture, offering a renewed perspective that transcends borders and celebrates the rich heritage embedded in the dance's vibrant tapestry.https://journal.unika.ac.id/index.php/celt/article/view/4223cultural dimensionstechnologyperformative artsculture
spellingShingle Ovunda C. Ihunwo
The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
Celt: A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching & Literature
cultural dimensions
technology
performative arts
culture
title The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
title_full The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
title_fullStr The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
title_full_unstemmed The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
title_short The Aesthetics and Mechanics of African Dance, Costumes and Rattles in Yibo Koko’s Seki Dance Drama
title_sort aesthetics and mechanics of african dance costumes and rattles in yibo koko s seki dance drama
topic cultural dimensions
technology
performative arts
culture
url https://journal.unika.ac.id/index.php/celt/article/view/4223
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