CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Since time immemorial, dance has been in existence hence it has been termed one of the oldest form of art. It has played a vital role in the development of man and his environment.
Its importance is recognized in the recreational, therapeutic, socio-cultural, religious, artistic and entertainment values that it possesses. The origin and development of dance in any given society can be traced to the time the early man began to dance due to the fear of the unknown, coupled with the desire to express himself, to communicate his joy and sorrow, to celebrate and to mourn. This he did with the immediate instrument available to him which is the body.
Regarding the urge to dance by man for emotional reasons, Rudolf Laban (1989:12) a choreographer, says “man feels the urge to dance after the disturbance and frustration of everyday life”. So man engaged in some ritual activities like drumming and dancing in relation to the form and context of his experiences. Considering this fact in non-literate societies, dance can be used as a symbolic and technical educational value tool.
In Africa, dance is closely related to music, storytelling and ritual. It is as in Ancient Greece, where before drama became popular in the Dionysian festival, dance and song reigned supreme. Even in the Roman Empire, the medieval and Renaissance periods, dance was an essential tool of human interaction or socialization.
It is against this background of the functionality of dance in society that this research project focuses on the Idegbe-Ani dance of the Ika people of Delta State, Nigeria.
1.2 Objective of the Study
The main objective of this research is to study the nature, elements and techniques of the Idegbe-Ani dance of the Ika people of Delta State, Nigeria, and to replicate and possibly modernize appropriate aspects in my own choreography. This study would therefore entail analysis of the elements, symbols and mode of presentation of Idegbe-Ani in choreography; the researcher intends to create a dance by applying all the essential elements of dance which include the body, space, time, energy and action. It is hoped that the choreographer would create a dance that will enlighten its audience and make people to understand the relevance of the dance and its socio-cultural, educational and entertainment values.
1.3 Rationale for the Study
Several researches have been carried out on dances of different cultures, for example, Atilogwu of the Igbo and ema of Urhobo. But it is not to my knowledge that any study of note has been done on the Idegbe-Ani of the Ika people. This is why I consider it necessary to fill this gap by focusing on the Idegbe-Ani in this study.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The primary significance of this study is to create general awareness of the features of Idegbe-Ani dance of the Ika people which might increase their enjoyment of the dance. The study will also inspire students and theatre scholars to explore and research traditional dance forms which had remained unexposed with the view to choreographing them in the modern theatre. As a project with a practical part, it would provide entertainment for students, staff and examiners.
1.5 Research Methodology
The methodology to be adopted for this research is a combination of the historical, sociological, literary and the artistic methodologies.
Historical methodology involves the investigation of documented sources such as books, journals, archival materials with a view to tracing the origin and development of Idegbe-Ani dance. Using the sociological methodology, I shall interact with selected past and present Idegbe-ani dancers by which means I shall collect relevant data on the dance. By the literary method, I shall analyse data collected and lay the theoretical foundation for the discussion of findings. The artistic methodology in which the researcher shall use imagination, intuition and inspiration would be employed to execute the choreography and practical presentation of Idegbe-ani dance on stage.