Faculty of Humanities

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African Dance, Choreography and the Process of Evolving an Applicable Dance Notation Model
(Dance Journal of Nigeria, 2015-06) Bello, Peter
Studies and experiences have shown that the art of choreography is not alien to Africans though the notion that improvisation is the order when it comes to African dance performance is yet to fizzle out. While choreography is evident in African dance performance, evolving an African dance notation model has been a herculean task due to the peculiarities and complexity of African dance patterns. The questions that come to mind when considering the evolvement of notation for African dance include; Is notation really applicable to African dance form? Can African dance movements be notated? In what ways could African dances be represented with signs and symbols that will not alter the originality of the dance movement patterns? In answering these questions, this paper takes a critical look at the concept and evidence of choreography in African dance performance and the possibility of creating applicable notation for African dance movements. This largely descriptive study utilized primary data that were obtained through participant and non participant observation and secondary data from relevant publications. The data were subjected to contextual analysis and scrutiny. The paper examines the evidence of choreography in African dance performances and the challenges involved in the process of evolving an applicable dance notation model for the African dance form. The paper discovers that the application of notation in dance advances the art of choreographs'. Thus, the task of evolving an African dance notation model requires a thorough understanding of the numerous categories of African dance cultures. Therefore, a successful creation of applicable dance notation will enhance the evidence of choreography in African dance performances.
Choreographic Value of Ebira-Echeori Dance and Festival Performance in Nigeria
(Dance Journal of Nigeria, 2016-06) Bello, Peter
The wave of modernity and cultural transformation permeating every society and facets of life has made it very necessary to devise and explore various medium of documenting and rejuvenating oral traditions and folklores especially folk dance among indigenous Africans. This in essence is to sustain the continuity and relevance of the numerous African dance forms against extinction in a changing world. This paper applies the participant and non participant observation research approach to explore the choreographic value of Ebira-Echeori dance and festival performance as a viable means of tourism in Nigeria
Concept of Uprightness, Integrity, Honour and Goodwill in the Worldview of the Ebira Ethnic Group in Nigeria
(AIPGG Journal of Humanities and Peace Studies, 2022) Bello, Peter
The cultural worldview of a people encompasses their beliefs, philosophies, norms, ethos, taboos, superstitions and traditional practices which sum up to folklores. The values contained in the folklores are usually expressed and portrayed through ritual festivals, ceremonies, art forms, proverbs, riddles, and even through the significant given names. Therefore, every given ethnic group is peculiar with the worldview which forms the bedrock of their moral values and identity. It is not news that a good number of people in modern times hold onto an ill-informed notion that indigenous African traditions and practices are fetish. On the contrary, a deeper exploration into the cultural worldview of any given ethnic group in Nigeria will actually reveal that a good number of traditional practices were nurtured on the principles and philosophy of good moral values. This paper therefore explores the cultural worldview of the Ebira ethnic group in Nigeria as an embodiment of uprightness, integrity, honour and goodwill meant to guide and keep up the moral sanity of the people’s thoughts and actions. Hence, the prevailing moral decadence will not thrive in our societies if the moral values embedded in the various cultural values such as in the Ebira cultural worldview are upheld and practiced with utmost sense of obligation and dedication
Demystification and Popularization of Ebira-Echeori Dance Performance as a Work of Art in Nigeria
(EDE: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2019) Bello, Peter
The paper unveils the choreographic and economic values of Echeori dance and festival performance. It highlights the residual choreography inherent with Echeori dance performance that could be enhanced, in relevance with the principles of emergent choreography. Significantly, the stand of this paper is hinged against the backdrop that popularizing an indigenous dance performance like Echeori dance will enhance its relevance in our inevitable changing world. In other words, rejuvenating the tangible aesthetic of Echeori dance performance will strengthen the preservation, sustenance and appeal of its intangible aesthetic even in the face of modernity. The study adopts descriptive research method with the application of participant and non participant observation as tools to draw firsthand information through interviews with the custodians of Echeori performance tradition across Ebira land. Consultation of relevant journals, books, literatures, theses and audio-visual documents serves as secondary source of information to authenticate our findings. Based on the theory of cultural transformation, the paper justifies the need and advantages of allowing some degree of acculturation and modification in the tradition of Ebira-Echeori dance performance.
Ebira Rambo Dance: A Selling Point for the Popularization of Ebira Culture and National Identity
(Dance Journal of Nigeria, 2014-06) Bello, Peter
Amidst the imperative efforts and activities by every given culture to meet the demands of global development in all facets of life, dance naturally comes handy as a potent vehicle to project the cultural identity of every given people in the face of constant change. In Nigeria, dance as an expressive element of cultural transmission has constantly witnessed phases of rejuvenation and innovative recreation to preserve, sustain and popularize the values they represent. This paper therefore explore the dance forms of Ebira people otherwise known as Anebira Tao and the emergence of the Ebira-Rambo dance style phenomenal with which the Ebira cultural image and choreographic artistry gained popularity. This paper's research approach is based on participant observation method which involve investigative mode of data gathering by means of participation and face to face interaction with respondents within the scope of the research, to draw first hand information. Among other findings, we discover that the choreographic synthesis of Ebira dance movements innovated by the Rambo Dancers has not only provided a distinctive and unified model of Ebira dance performance artistry but has given Ebira cultural identity a facelift on the echelon of indigenous Nigeria popular cultures.
The Functional Value of Ebira-Ozomeche Folk Dance Performance
(The Redeemer's University Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies, 2012-11) Bello, Peter
Dance is an integral part of the African life and culture. It is a vital medium of cultural expression and transmission of traditions, beliefs, norms, philosophies, histories, folklores, ethical values, ethos and etiquette. However, influence of modernity has in some way contributed to the jettison of some of the most valuable African folk dance performances in modern African society. Consequently, the values therein are also thrown overboard for mere entertainment. Therefore, this paper exposes the vital place of ozomeche folk dance performance in Ebira culture. Hence, this posterity sake expositional documentation sails on a springboard of sociological research approach to expose the values of Ebira-Ozomeche folk dance performance thereby establishing the potency of folk dance, as a vital medium of good upbringing and character molding. These values transmitted from generation to generation through performance, permeate educational, ethical and moral impartation. Among other findings, we discover that Ozomeche folk dance form beyond cultural transmission and preservation serves as an informal channel of knowledge acquisition, vocational tutorage, human development and social change cutting across all spheres of life.
Music and Dance in Community Folk Play Performance Culture: An Example of Ebira-Mattaga Players in Nigeria
(EDE: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2020) Bello, Peter
The representational application of music and dance in drama and theatre performance is a common practice in places where oral culture thrives, especially in Africa. In Nigeria, music and dance constitute an integral part of indigenous drama and theatrical performances. Thus, application of music and dance in folk play performance usually represents a people’s past and present experiences and sociocultural values by which they live. Ebira people, otherwise known as Anebira of central Nigeria usually employ significant use of music and dance in both ritual and recreational theatre and play performances to deliver messages of great moral values. This paper explores the functional aspect of the Ebira theatre as tool for social and cultural development. It argues that the music and dance aspect of the performance, enable Ebira-Mattaga players to create awareness, mobilize, as well as educate the people about destructive practices and vices that can cause decay within the society. The performance is geared towards the sanitation of the society
Ododo's Vanishing Vapour and Ebira Cultural Milieu
(2012) Bello, Peter
Myth is an integral part of traditional African oral culture. It forms the foundation upon which the philosophies and beliefs of a people are built. The sustenance of any given cultural ethos, to a great extent, depends on the transmission and preservation of these mythical beliefs by which the life style of the people is governed. However, many of these beliefs, which are transmitted through folklores, tales, and theatrical performances including dance, music, drama, poetry and rhetoric, are fast fading away with the advent of modernity and foreign cultural influences. This is why efforts are geared towards documenting our most valued indigenous oral culture in the face of the changing world for posterity. Therefore, this chapter explores Sunnie Ododo's Vanishing Vapour's account of an Ebira creation myth and its influence on the sociology of the Ebira culture in Nigeria.
Ontology of Enyohu Artefact in Ebira Women Folk Performances in Central Nigeria
(2012) Bello, Peter
The significant use of artefacts as props in traditional performances is a common practice in places where oral culture thrives. It is an integral Part of indigenous African theatrical performances that conveys the symbolic account of a peoples' past and certain traditional values for which a given performance is constantly re-enacted and transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, this research explores the existence and significant use of “Enyohu" artefact as a symbol of womanhood and virtues and as a component of performance among Ebira women folks. Hence, I appraise the symbolic place and application of "Enyohu" artefact as a symbol and prop in revitalizing Ebira cultural identity and virtues of chastity, modesty, poise / dignity, industry and resourcefulness among the women folk
The Significance of Dance as Expression of Culture in African Society
(2020) Bello, Peter
The term culture is dance and dance is culture, cannot be over emphasized. The statement is a clear indication of the fact that dance performance especially among Africans is enshrouded in the ways of life of the people. Dance is no doubt an expression of culture in totality cutting across age long belief folktales and traditional festival and ceremonies of diverse kind. As a cultural element and an art form, the place of dance in the sociocultural development of the African society cannot be undermined This is because; dance performance transcends all aspect and stages of the people's development, making great impact in all facets of their lives. The potentiality of dance as a veritable tool for development in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, this paper examines the significance of dance in culture and societal development with the application of descriptive research method. It highlights the great potential( of dance as a viable form of entertainment, expressive communication and source of tourism. Hence, the paper recommends strategies towards enhancing the potential viability of dance for meaningful sociocultural development in a bid to tackling the challenges of social and moral decadence in the Nigerian Society.
Theory, Concept and Principle of Performance in Dance Theatre
(2017) Bello, Peter

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