Public Story
Theatre Myth
Summary
This project is an ongoing series relating to cultural identity and its relevance in the world today, especially as young people are more than ever, heavily influenced by the powerful forces of global trends through social media influences. The work follows the students of art schools in different universities and seeks to show how through educational institutions, cultural and traditional values are given priority.
Rooted in the belief that theatre is a typification of life, this induction process is meant to reawaken and promote cultural consciousness in African students. The process requires students from various cultures who are admitted into the Department to dress in full traditional regalia, perform dance, drama and recite chants acts that showcase their culture to the University Community and the general public. Documenting this ritual is a way of preserving, amplifying and reminding young people of what our culture is doing. For example, Yoruba culture is practiced in a Yoruba environment, Hausa culture in a Hausa environment, etc. I've documented a few universities in the South-west showing Obatala arc God. In a Yoruba area, white attire is worn in for any important cultural activity. Culturally, white symbolizes purity, innocence, peace. The students’ faces are also dotted in whites. Students walk and sing around the school to publicize the appearance and entertain students in the school. It was assured that these activities aren’t spiritually connected but just an imitation of life in an artistic way. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, participation in this induction is compulsory before a student is called a Thespian.
In Africa, people outside theatre assume it's a spiritual initiation process, this story hasn’t been documented properly by anyone in Nigeria. Doing this project will help educate the public about this myth, hence more talents can join the theatre industry as a whole. I'm so enthusiastic about this story as a student, also as an individual who's interested in learning about other people's culture. I have a great connection with students because I’m also a student. Photographing topics that interest me is one of the amazing ways I learn even more about life. I got to know about this interesting activity from my younger sister who is a Performing Arts student. Students are united by where they are from and learn from other people's culture in the induction. This project is an ongoing series examining educational stereotypes connecting to culture in a diverse environment in focus to theatre arts.
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