THE DIALECTICS OF BATA DANCE AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Dance in Africa, specifically from Nigeria, has over the years made tremendous impact in such areas like propagation of culture, projection of unity in diversity and promotion of the idea of National identity. With the global rejuvenation and economic diversity, dance has provided an enabling environment and concrete platforms for its practitioners to explore the potentials embedded in the packaging and production of dance performances, thereby serving as a vital tool for economic stability. Despite its relegation to the background as a mere form of entertainment, African dance has provided immense benefits to practitioners. Through the adoption of Performance Aesthetics theory of Dance and Participant Observation method of research, this paper carries out a dialectical engagement of the roles of dance in general perspective, with a close reference to the Bata dance of the Yoruba, for the purpose of identifying the various dimensions by which the dance has helped in projecting both the Yoruba ethnic and the Nigerian National identities. Findings reveal that Bata Dance performance has grown beyond its Yoruba ethnic enclave to becoming a global brand that is studied by non-Africans and the Africans in Diaspora therefore creating a viable socio-economic platform and global acceptance for the dance and its practitioners.KEYWORDS: Bata, Dance, Yoruba, Sango, Aesthetics