African Dance as Healing Modality Throughout the Diaspora: The Use of Ritual and Movement to Work Through Trauma

Abstract

In the African worldview, dance is a conduit of ind ividual and community healing. African conceptualizations of illness and health in tegrate social, spiritual, physical and mental realms, all of which are impacted by trauma. This paper will explore different forms of dance and ritual throughout the African Diaspora as they relate to the process of healing trauma. It will provide examples of African dance healing practices - from the Ndeup ritual in Senegal and Zar tradition in North Africa to the highly stylized da nce techniques of Guinea and urban dance in the U.S. Psychological perspectives are incorporat ed to provide an additional framework for understanding healing dance rituals. Keywords : Dance, Ritual, Trauma, Psychology.

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