SIGNIFYING SYMBOLS IN TRADITIONAL DANCE:A STUDY OF NKWANWITE DANCE

Abstract

The use of iconic symbols during traditional indigenous performances (Dance), has remained an indispensible tool. The major problem facing the use of signifying symbols during performances is because, they are seen as mere cultural artifacts or for aesthetic flexibility display. These assumptions might be generally accepted, but in core dance scholarship is not acceptable and must be redressed through this paper. The aim of this paper is to communicatively interpret some of the signifying symbols, used in dance towards understanding their sociocultural essence. Objectively, this paper would analyze the signifying symbols used in Nkwanwite traditional dance for the following reasons: (a) To acknowledge the use of cultural symbols as part of people’s mythology belief. (b) To interpret, analyze and document the signifying symbols as a sociocommunicative tool. (c)To give each of the signifying symbols, sense of belonging and value wherever they exist in the dance. In order to achieve this; Sense Making Theory would be used as theoretical frame work towards interrogating the essence of the signifying symbols. From the findings, due to lack of interpretation and documentation on the use of signifying symbols in dance. It is gradually going into extinction or misclassify as mere props. In conclusion, non dance scholars should always attribute meaning to every signifying symbols used in traditional dances beyond the aesthetics perception; because in them people’s cultural identity and sustainability are imbedded.