Senegal has played a central role in contemporary dance due to its rich performing traditions; as well as strong state patronage of the arts; first under French colonialism and later in the postcolonial era. In the 1980s; when the Senegalese economy was in decline and state fundingwithdrawn; European agencies used the performing arts as a tool in diplomacy. This had a profound impact on choreographic production and arts markets throughout Africa. In Senegal; choreographic performers have taken to contemporary dance; while continuing to engage with neo-traditional performance; regional genres like the sabar; and the popular dances they grew up with. A historically informed ethnography of creativity; agency; and the fashioning of selves through the different life stages in urban Senegal; this book explores the significance of this multiple engagement with dance in a context of economic uncertainty and rising concerns over morality in the public space.
#337624 in eBooks 2005-05-03 2015-12-22File Name: B018UMGNQY
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