article
Contemporary adapted dances among the Dogon
African arts • 5 (1) • Published In 1971 • Pages: 28-33, 68-72, 84
By: Imperato, Pascal James.
AbstractBrief abstract written by HRAF anthropologists who have done the subject indexing for the document
This is an account of the adaptation of traditional Dogon masked dances for presentation as theatrical performances to visitors, especially tourists. Traditionally, masked dances were part and parcel of larger ceremonials, such as the death anniversary ceremony (dama). As ritual events the dances were imbued with meaning by the associated myth and symbolism. But as theatrical performances, the author explains, they are devoid of any traditional meaning. The adapted dances have been simplified and been more rigorously choreographed. Certain parts of the dances have been eliminated, other parts have been made more spectacular, depending upon the tourists' preferences. Included in the source are several plates depicting the masks, and several snap shots of the dances in progress. The myth and symbolism underlying the traditional ritual performance of the dances are described in some detail, as are the accompanying music and song. An account of the secret Sigui language, used in songs during the dances, and which is the vehicle by which myths are passed from one generation of men to the next, is also provided. Finally, the author shows the relation between adaptation of the masked dances and broader sociocultural changes which have taken place in Dogon society.
- SubjectsDocument-level OCM identifiers given by the anthropology subject indexers at HRAF
- Acculturation and culture contact
- Death
- Dance
- Representative art
- cultureCulture name from the Outline of World Cultures (OWC)
- Dogon
- HRAF PubDateThe date HRAF published the document
- 2000
- RegionThe area the document pertains to
- Africa
- Sub RegionThe more specific area the document pertains to, which is located within the Region
- Western Africa
- Document TypeMay include journal articles, essays, collections of essays, monographs, or chapters/parts of monographs
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator TypesThe type of person writing the document, e.g. Ethnographer, Missionary, Archaeologist, Folklorist, Linguist, Indigenous Person, and so on.
- Physician
- Government Official
- Document Rating A ranking done by HRAF anthropologists based on the strength of the source material on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: 1 - poor; 2 - fair; 3 - good, useful data, but not uniformly excellent; 4 - excellent secondary data; 5 - excellent primary data.
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- AnalystThe HRAF anthropologist who subject indexed the document and prepared other materials for the eHRAF culture/tradition collection
- Christopher Latham ; 1988
- Field DateThe date the researcher conducted the fieldwork or archival research that produced the document
- March 1967-March 1971
- Coverage DateThe date or dates that the information in the document pertains to
- 1968-1969
- Coverage PlaceLocation of the research culture or tradition (often a smaller unit such as a band, community, or archaeological site)
- Sanga, Bandiagara Circle, Mopti Region, Mali
- NotesAdditional notes
- Pascal James Imperato
- LCCNLibrary of Congress Control Number
- sf 77000055
- LCSHLibrary of Congress Subject Headings
- Dogons (African people)