ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project work is to examine the essence of dance in the life of the African using the Esan’s as a case study. Dance is valued highly because it is useful in the life circle of human beings, i.e. right from birth to death. The researcher also went ahead and investigated on how plays an important role in the life of the Africans particularly the Esan people. This study is so enormous, covering the whole of dance activities and celebration of all African societal. The use of musical instruments makes African dance look real. The more the musical instruments are played the better and more interesting African dance will be, thought the participants should be prayerful and be serious with their researchers. Dance should be performed in ceremonies like marriages, burials, birthdays, naming ceremonies, entertainment etc.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to Innocent Akioya (2006) he stressed that, to a typical African child, music is life. There is music in almost everything that happens around him. His mother sings when washing cloths. The sister sings while sweeping. The father whistles to tune while on the farm. When the family gathers together for a ceremony, singing is done, singing being an important part of music; music is therefore that thing that makes activities around him come alive. According to Innocent Akinoya (2006) he defined music as sound that please the ears.
According to Abolagba J. A. (2003) he sees music as the combination of organized sounds that is pleasant to the ears. Sound, therefore, is the main source of music. It must be pleasing to the ear, if it is organized, if not it will be regarded as noise. DANCE Abolagba J. A. (2003) defines dance, as an act in its form, is a rhythmic movement to music either along or with a partner or in a group. Dance is also use of the body to communicate a message. However, while drama is rooted in words, music in songs, dance is rooted in body movement. There is this saying that Africans are dancers. This is because Africans dance to any music they listen to: Dance as an art plays various roles in an individual or group of individuals. This includes: 1. People dance to glorify God. 2. People dance to express their feelings 3. Dance is used for entertainment 4. People also dance to exercise their bodies. 5. It is used to appease the gods.
