Dance is a nexus between Africa and Brazil. It holds ancestral knowledge, and demonstrates a clear evolution of form, function, and tradition. This course will examine the study of embodied practices of the African diaspora as it relates to Brazilian life and culture. It will introduce various religious, social, and contemporary dance forms through a historical perspective of African identity in Brazil. Students will dive into the vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture and history through rigorous physical explorations, which will be complemented with lectures, readings, discussions, and video. Topics will include, yet are not limited to: the symbolic aspects of the body, historical context of movement behavior, the sociopolitical aspects of the dances, the derivation of the movement techniques, as well as connection of mind, body, and spirit in culture and dance. |