Interpreting the Impact of Ogho Dance of Umundugba People in Imo State Towards Peace Building

Nicholas Chielotam Akas

doi:10.7176/rhss/9-1-08

Abstract

Dance and its use has become an indispensable tool in our indigenous communities no doubt. But the main problem is that indigenes or some myopic citizens do not see anything communicative in dance or as a corrective tool for peace building, rather they view it as mere means of cultural identification, sustainability and transformation only without looking beyond these. This paper strongly aims to restate that dance is and still remain a socio-corrective tool that mirrors the society and proffers solution through its choreographic styles which lampoons, appreciates or serves as a watchdog. The use of Ogho dance in paper as a tool for peace building objectively interprets its choreographic styles as: a watchdog in the daily activities of Umundugba people, b: as a tool against injustice of any sort, c: as a connecting link between the ruler and the ruled. From findings Umundugba people have viewed and appreciated their performance as mere entertainment only, but the socio-communicative essence embedded in choreographic styles which is always de-emphasized proved otherwise, thereby forming the basis of this paper. To ascertain this through qualitative research methodology, content analysis and liberal peace theory as theoretical frame work was used. In conclusion, Dance through its choreographic styles has gone beyond aesthetic assembling of movements into serious corrective tool for peace building. DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/9-1-08

Highlights

Dance has remained unique art form that passes the communal message whenever it exists
It is subjective in the sense that beyond generalized perception of entertainment lies the idealized socio- problems that requires urgent attention
From the findings in this paper, the researcher can comfortably state that the aim of every dance through its choreographic styles is to mirror, communicate and awaken people’s consciousness

Summary

Introduction

Dance has remained unique art form that passes the communal message whenever it exists. It always mirrors the immediate environment and proffer a possible solution towards any existing problem. At this point, dance and its use become instructive, interrogative and communicative. For instance relationships to rulers, to the gods and to the governed (119)” The beauty of every well choreographed dance(s) is to understand the unique intended message. Such messages when indentified and situated properly attract the owners close to the performance. Akas stated that “What makes dance performance useful is the ability of the audience to see themselves being reflected in the performance”(4)

Objectives

Conclusion