Social change mirrored in Baka dance and movement

Abstract

This article discusses different dances and structured human movements
of the Baka living along the River Ivindo in north-eastern Gabon. Baka dancing in this
region takes place in diverse ritual and social contexts. Movement theory and attention
to body are used to show that dance analysis can provide a window on the challenges
the Baka groups are experiencing to their egalitarian social organisation. The article
addresses in particular how new technical influences are challenging long-standing
movement values and ritualised male-female interaction of an egalitarian society. Social
change is conceptualised from a perspective which gives primacy to human movement
rather than material or environmental facts.

• LRQ17

Resources

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281415113_Social_change_mirrored_in_Baka_dance_and_movement

Bibliography

Weig, D. (2015): Social change mirrored in Baka dance and movement. – In: Hunter Gatherer Research, DOI: doi:10.3828/hgr.2015.4