PROJECT CODE: 000324

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY

NIGERIAN DANCES

BY

OKIEVOR OCHUKO SONIA

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

JULY, 2016

i
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certification……………………………..…………………………………………....iii
Dedication………………..………………………………………………………..….iv
Acknowledgements…………..………..………………………………………….…...v
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...........vi
Abstract……………………………..…………………………......………………...viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study....................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of Problem ........................................................................................... 2
1.3 Objectives of the Study ......................................................................................... 3
1.4 Rationale of the Study .......................................................................................... 3
1.5 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................... 3
1.6 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 4
1.7 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................ 4
1.8 Limitation of the Study ......................................................................................... 4
1.9 Definition of Terms .............................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Dance (Overview) ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2 Traditional Nigerian Dances ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3 Contemporary Dance ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN DANCES
3.1 Ikpiripki Ogu and Atilogwu dance of the Igbo ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2 The Bata Dance of the Yoruba .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3 Nigerian Contemporary Dances ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.4 Differences and Similarities between Traditional and Contemporary Nigerian Dances
Error! Bookmark not defined.
CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF PRACTICAL PERFORMANCE
4.1 Aesthetics of Dance .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
ii
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

4.2 Functions of Dance ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2 Conclusion ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.3 Recommendations ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
WORKS CITED ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

iii
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

ABSTRACT

This project deals with “A comparative study of traditional and contemporary Nigerian dances”
using Bata dance of the Yoruba, Ikpirikpi Ogu and Atilogwu dances of the Igbos as practical
illustration. This research work employs both the literary, artistic and historical methods.
Relevant information, articles, journals and materials were sourced. A practical performances
of the various dances was done. This research work has been able to examine the similarities
and differences between the traditional and contemporary Nigerian dances, functions of dance
and the beauty of dance. More dance courses was recommended in the school curriculum to
aid students who are interested in dance. The findings of this work reveal to the readers,
researchers, theatre practitioners, and the dancers that there are elements of traditional dances
in contemporary dance. This work concludes that dances, be it traditional or contemporary, are
strong tools for communication and communalism.

iv
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Theatre arts is a broad platform, and all art forms have something to communicate. Art

as a form of communication is dynamic because it is derived from culture and a particular

cultural background. Dance is a form of art, hence, it is an index of culture. Zulu Sofola in

Tragic Themes in Nigeria Ritual Drama notes that:

Culture is the totality of the individual in relation to all the

forces acting upon him and his reaction to them. The forces
would include the physical environment, supernatural forces
and the social context. (16)
Therefore, culture is the way of life of a people within a geographical setting. Darah

(2003), in Dance as an Agent of Social Mobilisation in Urhobo, posits that:

“Dance comments reflectively on systems of thoughts,

sustaining them or undermining them through criticism of
institutions, policies or personages, and that dance reflects
and influences patterns of social organisation”(10).
In accordance with this, dance is said to be one of the vehicles through which culture

expresses itself.

Dancing is at least as old as man. Early man discovered that dancing channelled his

exuberance, gave him pleasure and expressed his feelings about the most important events of

his life. Adah (1991), in Science and Values in Culture and Civilisation posits that:

“He believed that through dancing, he could communicate with the

unseen spirit world in which he lived, primitive man danced to
celebrate birth, healing of the sick, mourn death and pray for good,
hunting or victory in battle.” (5)

1
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

Bakare (2004) in The Rudiments of Choreography asserts that “the fundamental reason

why dance takes place is to make a statement, to communicate, put across a message, express

a thought” (4). From this expression, we can deduce that dance communicates the cultural and

environmental situation of a people or society. Bakare (2004) further says that “all arts no

matter the nature have something to say” (3). This means that both traditional and

contemporary dances have their distinctive features and social statement which is derived from

their cultural situation. Again Bakare (2004) opines that “human beings from different cultures

of the world dance to externalise their inner feelings through body language” (2).

The dancer being a tool of communication uses his body as a means of expression. He

uses his body in expressing physical symbols. Every dance form has a specific body concept

and these might be intertwined with the everyday physical culture or quite remote from it.

Though the traditional and contemporary dances have the same elements and goals, it is still

obvious that they have distinct forms which makes it easy for identification. This project

therefore attempts a comparative study between traditional Nigerian dances and contemporary

dances, expressing the distinctive and similar features of both forms as well as the motivations

of both art forms.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Dance like other art forms is a functional part of human life. Dance is as important as

other art forms. However, the subject matter is one that has not been given considerable

attention compared to other artistic forms. Traditional dance style is one that is gradually fading

away with the passage of time, and contemporary dance has not fully been analysed. This study

intends to discuss the relationship between the two dance forms in order to enable the society

2
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

know the uniqueness of traditional and contemporary Nigerian dances, in African Society and

the world at large.

Since the coming of the missionaries, most African societies have abandoned their

cultural practises, this study therefore will help to bring the lost culture of most African

Societies, that traditional African dances can be used for more than just entertainment.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This study endeavours to:

1. showcase cultural similitude as well as abstractions of traditional and

contemporary Nigerian Dances.

2. review and analyse the various features of contemporary and traditional

Nigerian dances through practical and artistic forms.

3. arrive at important hypothesis that will contribute to the field in general

1.4 Rationale of the Study

Though researches have been carried out on this subject, some loopholes still need to

be filled. Lack of knowledge of traditional dance forms and their various significance have not

fully been understood. This necessitated the choice for this study, exploring the Ikpiripki, Ogu

and Atilogwu dance of the Igbos and the Yoruba Bata, which are both traditional dances. Also,

the understanding of what contemporary dance entails and the influence of traditional dance

forms on the contemporary dances.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of the project is not far-fetched, it is hoped that apart from stimulating

and exciting further researches on comparative study of traditional and contemporary Nigerian

3
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

dances, it will also contribute to the growth of the general knowledge of Nigerian dance as an

art, as well as enlightening various personnel that require knowledge from this field.

This research would also be significant to choreographers, dancers, theatre

practitioners, cultural historians and the general public in the sense that it will contribute to

their knowledge.

1.6 Methodology

The literary, historical and artistic methods are employed in the collection of data and

reporting of findings. In using the literary method, investigations into different literature such

as printed materials, Journals, Newspapers, books relating to the research topics are consulted.

In using the historical method, facts would be collected from archival materials and printed

sources that are related to the development, beginning and history of dance. In relation to the

artistic method, Data would be obtained from the researcher’s observation on the practical

performance and personal knowledge on the artistic presentation.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This project work is strictly aimed at examining the evolution of traditional and

contemporary dances, and the similarities, differences and factors that affect both trends. This

will be achieved through a practical illustration of the two dance forms.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

It will be out of place to state that one will not encounter problems during the course of

this research work. Some of the major problems that limited this research work are:

1. Lack of current books on dance

2. Time frame to organise my practical was limited

4
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

3. Finance was also another issue.

Both the available materials was constructively utilized to further the actualisation of

this work.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Dance: Dance is a performance art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of

human movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is acknowledged as

dance by performers and observers within a particular culture.

Comparative: Comparative is a syntactic construction that serves to express a comparison

between two (or more) entities in quantity, quality or degree, it is one of the degrees of

comparison, alongside the positive and the superlative.

Traditional Dance: Traditional dance can be another term for folk dance, or sometimes even

called ceremonial dance. The term traditional is more frequently used when the emphasis is on

the cultural roots of the dances.

Contemporary Dance: Contemporary dance is a dance produced at the present period in time.

5
 PROJECT CODE: 000324

TO GET THE FULL PROJECT MATERIAL (CHAPTER

1 TO FIVE) FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE STEPS:
STEP 1: visit any Ecobank/Zenith Bank branch nearest
to you and pay into the account details below:

STEP 2: After payment, SMS the Teller Number, the

project code (can be found at the header of this
project work) and your Email address TO
08067950556, 08110684119.
Upon confirmation of the payment, the
full project will be sent to you (this will usually
take few minutes after pay=ment is
confirmed).
STEP 3: Go to your mail and download the full project
materials.
NB: To view other Banks, Click HERE
DISCLAIMER:
We at Teezed strongly advice that the research you will
get from us should be used only as a guide rather than as a
template for personal research. This research work is
intended to guide you and to provide you with idea on how a
typical research work looks like. Plagiarism still remain a
sactionable offence. Goodluck!!!