Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka: An epistemology of African dance
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HUMA African Epistemologies Advanced Seminar Series
Introduction: The centrality of dance as an art form in African cultures is well known in documented studies worldwide. It is within reason to consider dance not only as a preeminent art form on the continent but also given the body as its primary tool, as a foundational creative enterprise. The dynamic energy and amazing diversity of African dances, especially the distinctive polycentric and polyrhythmic body movement, have been the focus of many studies research scholars. While the aesthetic qualities and social roles of the dances have been the focus of many of these studies, the philosophical concept of the dances has been largely ignored or subjected to traditional Euro-centric epistemologies with invariably unsatisfactory outcomes.
About the speaker: Omofolabo Ajayi-Soyinka was faculty at the University of Kansas, USA, with joint appointments in the departments of Theatre and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She retired from active teaching as Professor Emerita; now an Independent scholar, she concentrates on research writing and creative activities. An interdisciplinary scholar, her scholarship focuses on theatre, literary, cultural and gender studies and theories. In addition to critical and creative articles and book chapters, Ajayi-Soyinka is also the author of Yoruba Dance, and co-editor of African Literature at the Millennium (Africa World Press, 2007) and Reflections: An Anthology of New Works by African Women Poets (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2013). Mother, grandmother and activist, Omofolabo is a graduate of Leeds University, England and Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife), Ile Ife Nigeria.