Dance As A Tool For Creating Democratic Consciousness in The Masses: Azulu Dance Performance As a Example

Abstract

The essence of democratic consciousness in Nigeria has been the order of the day whereby the masses both in urban and rural areas are meant to understand, interpret and appreciate the valuable of democracy. The misconception of some citizens in seeing democratic system of government as a Garden of Eden for selected few or an avenue for tribalism and a means for self-satisfaction for others has become the problematic essence of this paper, which must be resolved. An ideal democratic system of government believes in professionalism, justice, proper management of funds and perfect transparency. But from findings, people are not bold enough to indicate whenever they feel depressed, de-humanized or marginalized, because of fear of victimization. So dance in this paper serves as the inter-connecting rod between the leader and the led.  Through constructive communicative dance movements, the dancers and the dance will praise or lampoon the ruling class and awake consciousness among the masses to either fight for their rights or forever remain silent. In order to achieve the interpretative essence of democratic government in Nigeria, content analysis of Azulu Dance performance would be carried out as an example towards achieving the required consciousness in protecting the rights of the people and enthroning good governance.