Dancing for the State: A Critical Examination of State-Owned Dance Troupes in Ghana

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the relationship between dance and nationalism, tracing the history of state-owned dance troupes globally and their role in promoting nationalistic agendas. Through a literature review on cultural nationalism and a case study of Ghana's dance troupes, we reveal how states have usurped cultural practices to create a unified national identity. Our findings also highlight the tensions between the various ethnic groups in Ghana who strive to gatekeep their dance performances to entrench their unique identities, the non-meticulous new wave of private dance troupes who dare not to conform to most traditional dance performance practices, and the nation-state at the helm of affairs with a nationalistic agenda that does not support individual ethnic narratives. This demonstrates how dance can be both a powerful tool for cultural expression and a site of political contestation. Using the qualitative mode of inquiry, we employed ethnography as the study design. The study's objectives were achieved through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and field notes. This research contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics between culture, politics, and identity, by shedding light on how states shape and utilize cultural practices to serve their interests.

Keywords: Nationalism, Dance and Nationalism, State-owned ensembles, Ghana Dance Ensemble, National Dance Company

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/111-04

Publication date: November 30th 2024