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Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check V_mark 1. Glossy photographs or pages. 2. Colored illustrations, paper or print____ 3. Photographs with dark background\/ 4. Illustrations are poor copy______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original copy 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page. 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages_______ 8. Print exceeds margin requirements______ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine_______ 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct print. 11. Page(s)___________lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s)___________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages numbered . Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages______ 15. Dissertation contains pages with print at a slant, filmed as received_________ 16. Other UMI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. A Guide to Selected Traditional Dances of the Bendel State of Nigeria Benedict Ozengbe Atakpu A dissertation presented to the Graduate Faculty of Middle Tennessee State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Arts August, 1988 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. A Guide to Selected Traditional Dances of the Bendel State of Nigeria APPROVED : Graduate Committee: Ma]or Professor Committee Member !a J Committee Member Head of the Departmentpartmqnt of Health A Physical Education, Recreation and Safety Dean o ^ the Graduate School Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. @1989 BENEDICT OZENGBE ATAKPU All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Abstract A Guide to Selected Traditional Dances of the Bendel State of Nigeria by Benedict Ozengbe Atakpu The purpose of this dissertation was to develop a guide that would assist any person attempting to study and understand the history of the traditional dances of the Bendel State of Nigeria. The guide can be used to help prepare future educators at the teacher training colleges and public schools. The study is divided into seven chapters according to topical information. Photographs and figures are included to aid in the explanation of the dance costumes, instruments used, and dance formations. A list of learning objectives is included in each chapter pertaining to the information presented. In addition, each chapter includes an introduction, historical background, costumes, instruments used, preparation, formations, and steps for each dance. In chapter 1, the Eluemosi, Ugba, Ugie, and Irovimwin Life-Cycle ceremonial dances are discussed. Chapter 2 includes the Ema, Emomorhe, and Itakpo Elders'ceremonial dances. Chapter 3 includes the Igbabonelimi, Okakagbe, and Okere Masquerade ceremonial dances. In chapter 4, the Agbega, Agie, and Edjewhor Maidens' dances are discussed. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Benedict Ozengbe Atakpu Chapter 5 includes the Egwu Dibie, Ishe, and Olokun Ritual ceremonial dances. The Agobonejie, Egwu Amalabuyo, and Ihoko Vocational ceremonial dances are discussed in chapter 6. In chapter 7, the Abisua, Idju, Ine, Ivbri, and Oviethe War ceremonial dances are discussed. It is hoped that people who read the guide will be more aware of the importance and tradition of the various ceremonial dances and their relevance in the lives of the current inhabitants of the Bendel State of Nigeria. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements In the preparation of this study, the writer gratefully acknowledges the guidance and support of his major professor. Dr. A, H. Solomon, whose encouragement and invaluable assistance in the development and organization of the guide have earned him the writer's deepest appreciation. Without him, this work could not have been completed. Dr. John MacBeth also provided significant contributions in the writing of this paper. His quick advice, solid solutions for problems which arose, and insuring that the study remained on track throughout its preparation were invaluable to the writer in bringing the study to a successful conclusion. Warmest thanks are extended to Dr. Charles Babb for his advice and assistance to the writer. He gave freely of his time for the purpose of reading the manuscript. The writer is most appreciative of the support given by Mr. Ben Okoegwale, Head of Theatre Arts, Bendel State Arts Council, Benin, Nigeria. Whenever possible, he graciously made available groups of dancers who performed the dances to provide information about the meaning and significance of the steps and movements. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Also appreciated was the information provided in an interview with Miss Aghabiomon Ogbewi, Director of Uyiedo theatre group, Benin. She additionally provided a group to perform the ritual dance to explain the steps. Special thanks are extended to Dean Mary Martin and Dr. Guy Penny, whose encouragement and guidance were most helpful. The writer is also grateful to Mrs. Maribeth Beasley, who typed the initial drafts. Thanks are extended to Mrs. Bernice Burns for her patience and many hours of hard work in editing and typing the final copy of the dissertation. Finally, the writer is appreciative of the support received from Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Sakpere; Chief I. 0. Esigie; Mr. D. Aiyejina; Mr. and Mrs. M. O. Eyeoyibo; and especially his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Atakpu; and his wife, Victoria, and children. They gave their time and money and also served as constant sources of inspiration for the completion of this guide. I l l Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Page List of F i g u r e s ....................................... vi Introduction ........................................... 1 Purpose of the S t u d y .............................. 2 Review of Related Literature ..................... 2 Traditional Ceremonial Dances in the Study . 4 Procedure and M e t h o d .............................. 13 Limitation of the Study ........................... 16 Chapter 1. Life-Cycle Ceremonial Dances .................... 17 Eluemosi Dance .............................. 18 Iko D a n c e .................................... 23 Irorimwin Dance .............................. 27 Ugie D a n c e .................................. 33 Ugba D a n c e .................................. 39 2. Elders' Ceremonial D a n c e s ........................ 44 Ema D a n c e .................................... 45 Emomorhe Dance .............................. 50 Itakpo Dance ................................ 54 3. Masquerade Ceremonial Dances .................... 61 Okakagbe Dance .............................. 62 Okere D a n c e .................................. 65 Igbabonelimi Dance ......................... 70 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Page 4. Maidens'Ceremonial D a n c e s ....................