Ubuntu As Dance Pedagogy in Uganda : Individuality, Community, and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning of Indigenous Dances

This book locates the philosophy of Ubuntu as the undergirding framework for indigenous dance pedagogies in local communities in Uganda. Through critical examination of the reflections and practices of selected local dance teachers, the volume reveals how issues of inclusion, belonging, and agency are negotiated through a creatively complex interplay between individuality and communality. The analysis frames pedagogies as sites where reflective thought and kinaesthetic practice converge to facilitate ever-evolving individual imagination and community innovations. Acknowledgments 6 Praise for Ubuntu as Dance Pedagogy in Uganda 7 Contents 8 List of Images 13 1 Introduction and Overview of the Book 16 References 23 2 Historical, Sociocultural, and Political Contexts of Indigenous Dance Practices in Uganda 24 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 Indigenous Dances in the Precolonial Period 25 2.3 Indigenous Dances During the Colonial Period 26 2.4 Dance in the Postcolonial Period 29 2.4.1 Indigenous Dances in the Church 30 2.4.2 Indigenous Dances in Schools 31 2.4.3 Indigenous Dances in University Education 32 2.4.4 Indigenous Dances in Nongovernment Organizations 33 2.4.5 Indigenous Dances in Dance Troupes 34 2.4.6 Indigenous Dances in Global Performance Contexts 35 2.5 Conclusion 36 References 37 3 Ubuntu, Indigenous Communities, and Dance Practices in African Cultures 40 3.1 Introduction 41 3.2 The Philosophical Foundations of Ubuntu 41 3.3 Individuality, Communality, and Inclusion in Ubuntu 44 3.4 Ubuntugogy: Pedagogy, Community, Agency, and Experience in Indigenous Education 47 3.5 Ubuntu Philosophy in Indigenous Dance Practices 49 3.6 Conclusion 52 References 53 4 Biographic Complexities of Selected Indigenous Dance Teachers in Uganda 58 4.1 Introduction 59 4.2 Mathew Amone Watmon 59 4.3 Collin Lubega 63 4.4 Herbert Katende Mukungu 67 4.5 Olivia Namyalo 69 4.6 Brian Magoba 74 4.7 Ronald Kibirige 76 4.8 Mathias Ssenkubuge 79 4.9 Mariam Amooti Mugenyi 84 4.10 Conclusion 87 5 Contexts and Meanings of Indigenous Dance Education Practices 89 5.1 Introduction 90 5.2 Indigenous Dance Practice in Homes 90 5.3 Indigenous Dance Practices in Village Communities 94 5.4 Indigenous Dances in Dance Troupes 99 5.5 Indigenous Dances in School Environments 103 5.6 Indigenous Dances in Higher Education 107 5.7 Conclusion 110 References 111 6 Individuality, Community, Inclusion, and Agency in Indigenous Dance Pedagogies 114 6.1 Introduction 115 6.2 Storytelling and Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 115 6.3 Inquisitorial Observation in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 118 6.4 Embodied Experimentalism in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 121 6.5 Embodied Intercorporealities in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 124 6.6 Peer Modeling in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 130 6.7 Feedback Provision and Support for Learners in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 131 6.8 Conclusion 136 References 137 7 Music as a Pedagogic Aid in Indigenous Dance Education 141 7.1 Introduction 142 7.2 Drumming and Drum Rhythms 142 7.3 Vocal Songs 146 7.4 Mnemonics 153 7.5 Communities of Singers, Drummers, Instrumentalists, and Dancers 155 7.6 Conclusion 158 References 159 8 Diversity, Interethnicity, and Inclusion in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 162 8.1 Introduction 163 8.2 Heterogeneities of Indigenous Dancers in Local Communities 163 8.3 Multiethnicities and Indigenous Dance Pedagogy 165 8.4 Recontextualization, Appropriation, and Acculturative Stress 168 8.5 Conclusion 172 References 173 9 Practice, Pedagogy, People, Process, and Participation (P5): Inclusion and Agency in Indigenous Dances 175 9.1 Introduction 176 9.2 Practice 176 9.3 Pedagogy 177 9.4 People 179 9.5 Process 181 9.6 Participation 182 9.7 Conclusion 184 References 185 10 Implications of Ubuntu as Pedagogy for Local and Global Education 187 10.1 Introduction 188 10.2 Education and Pedagogy 189 10.3 Research 191 10.4 Practice 191 10.5 Theory 192 10.6 Policy 193 10.7 Conclusion 194 References 194 11 Model of a Dance Class Undergirded by Ubuntu Philosophy 197 11.1 Introduction 198 11.2 Structure and Location of Baakisimba-Nankasa-Muwogola Dance Session 198 11.2.1 Open Community Space 198 11.2.2 Rings of Pedagogic Inclusion and Competencies 199 11.3 The Participants in Baakisimba-Nankasa-Muwogola Dance Session 200 11.4 Introductory Activities of Baakisimba-Nankasa-Muwogola Dance Sessions (1.5 hours) 200 11.4.1 Tuning Instruments and Fixing the Costume 200 11.4.2 Playing Drum Rhythms and Other Integrative Instrumentations 201 11.4.3 Listening to Drum Rhythms and Other Instrumentation 201 11.4.4 Singing the Songs Without Drum Rhythms 202 11.5 Development of Baakisimba-Nankasa-Muwogola Dance Session (2 hours) 202 11.5.1 Dancing on the Drum Rhythms and Instrumentation 202 11.5.2 Learning in Scattered Groups of Dancers, Instrumentalists, and Drummers 204 11.5.3 Exploring Dance as One Group of Dancers, Singers, Clappers, Instrumentalists, and Drummers 204 11.6 Conclusion and Reflection of the Dance Session (25–30 minutes) 205 Index 206 Front Matter ....Pages i-xxi Introduction and Overview of the Book (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 1-8 Historical, Sociocultural, and Political Contexts of Indigenous Dance Practices in Uganda (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 9-24 Ubuntu, Indigenous Communities, and Dance Practices in African Cultures (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 25-42 Biographic Complexities of Selected Indigenous Dance Teachers in Uganda (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 43-73 Contexts and Meanings of Indigenous Dance Education Practices (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 75-99 Individuality, Community, Inclusion, and Agency in Indigenous Dance Pedagogies (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 101-127 Music as a Pedagogic Aid in Indigenous Dance Education (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 129-149 Diversity, Interethnicity, and Inclusion in Indigenous Dance Pedagogy (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 151-163 Practice, Pedagogy, People, Process, and Participation (P5): Inclusion and Agency in Indigenous Dances (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 165-176 Implications of Ubuntu as Pedagogy for Local and Global Education (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 177-186 Model of a Dance Class Undergirded by Ubuntu Philosophy (Alfdaniels Mabingo)....Pages 187-195 Back Matter ....Pages 197-200