Roots of African Theater
What did pre-colonial African theater include to bring communities together?
Rituals, storytelling, and dance.
Which region of Africa focuses heavily on storytelling in its theater?
West Africa.
How did colonization disrupt African theater?
By imposing new cultural boundaries and sidelining traditional performances.
How does modern African theater use globalization?
By blending African and Western theater styles.
Who wrote The Dilemma of a Ghost?
Ama Ata Aidoo
What role did dance play in pre-colonial African theater?
It expressed art, connected with spirits, and brought people together.
What traditional West African theater form is based on Ananse trickster tales?
Anansegoro.
How did African theater adapt during colonization?
By blending European elements with local traditions.
What role does technology play in African theater today?
It improves performances with advanced lighting and staging.
Which Nigerian playwright won the Nobel Prize for Literature?
Wole Soyinka.
How did rituals use music and dance in pre-colonial African theater?
To connect with spirits, celebrate big events, and teach cultural values.
Which East African performance style mimics colonial military parades?
Beni performances.
What themes did colonization bring into African theater?
Identity, resistance, and activism
What topics does modern African theater often address?
Politics, social issues, and human rights.
Who created anansegoro theater in Ghana?
Efua Sutherland.
What was storytelling used for during tough times like slavery?
To preserve history, teach lessons, and maintain cultural connections.
What are Muganda performances known for highlighting?
Ugandan music, dance, storytelling, and social issues.
In which country did theater support liberation efforts during colonization?
Zimbabwe.
Which post-apartheid country thrived with multilingual theater productions?
South Africa.
What is Wole Soyinka's famous play about tradition and colonialism?
Death and the King’s Horseman.
How did pre-colonial traditions shape modern African theater?
By forming the foundation of storytelling, dance, and rituals in modern performances.
In Southern Africa, which musical highlighted struggles under apartheid?
Gibson Kente’s township musicals.
After independence, what renewed focus did African theater embrace?
Local languages and cultural stories.
How do African theater festivals connect communities?
By celebrating cultural performances like storytelling, dance, and music.
What 1959 musical highlighted South African talent with an all-Black cast?
King Kong.