African Performance Arts and Political Acts

Naomi André is Professor in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Residential College at the University of Michigan.Yolanda Covington-Ward is Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.Jendele Hungbo is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: “Performance and Politics in Africa: Approaches and Perspectives”The Play of Social and Political Roles in Everyday Life1. “Performing Political Identities: Senegalese Speakers and Their Audiences” (Senegal)Judy T. Irvine, University of Michigan2. “The Socio-poetics of Sanakuyaagal: Negotiating Joking Relationships in West Africa” (Senegal)Nikolas Sweet, University of Michigan3. “Participation beyond Gratitude: ‘Sterling Greetings’ and the Mediation of Social Ties on Nigerian Radio” (Nigeria)Jendele Hungbo, Bowen University (Iwo, Nigeria)Expressions of Identity, Consciousness, and Migration4. “The Phenomenology of Collapsing Worlds: isiShameni Dance and the Politics of Proximity in Jeppestown, Johannesburg” (South Africa)Thomas M. Pooley, University of South Africa5. “African Heritage Revealed through Musical Encounters and Political Ideologies in Cameron White’s Ouanga! and Reuben Tholakele Caluza and Herbert Isaac Ernst Dhlomo’s Moshoeshoe” (South Africa)Innocentia Jabulisile Mhlambi, University of the Witwatersrand6. “Angalia Ni Mimi: A Performance by Marthe Djilo Kamga” (Cameroon)Frieda Ekotto, University of MichiganGendered Messages of Social Change7. “Surviving Gender Violence: Activating Community Stories for Social Change” (South Africa)Anita Gonzales, University of Michigan8. “Gangsters, Masculinity and Ethics: Underground Rapping in Dar es Salaam” (Tanzania)David Kerr, University of Birmingham and University of JohannesburgSongs of Protest and Activist Opera9. “Seditious Songs: Spirituality as Performance and Political Action in Colonial-era Belgian Congo” (Democratic Republic of the Congo)Yolanda Covington-Ward, University of Pittsburgh10. “Activist Operatic Spaces Depicting Reality: Puccini’s La Bohème becomes Breathe Umphefumlo” (South Africa)Naomi André, University of Michigan11. “Intrinsic Power of Songs Sung During Protests at South African Institutions of Higher Learning” (South Africa)Nompumelelo Zondi, University of PretoriaContributors

These investigations crucially speak to each other and are enhanced by four thematic subtopics that help to structure the work. The collection thus presents a strong case for new directions in performance and politics on the continent and is highly recommended for scholars in humanities and social science fields.