Vol. 2005 No. 1 (2005)
Theatre and Performance as Social Commentators in Côte d'Ivoire: A Qualitative Study in West Africa,
Abstract
Theatre and performance have long served as powerful tools for social commentary across West Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire specifically, these arts provide a unique lens through which to examine societal issues such as politics, culture, and identity. The research adopted a qualitative approach, utilising semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders including artists, critics, and community members to gather insights into the thematic content and social impact of theatrical productions in Côte d'Ivoire. A notable finding indicates that over 80% of performances examined addressed political issues directly, reflecting a significant level of engagement with current governance challenges. Themes such as corruption, ethnic tensions, and national unity were recurrent across various productions. This study underscores the vital role theatre and performance play in Côte d'Ivoire's cultural landscape by acting as both platforms for artistic expression and vehicles for social critique. Future research should consider comparative analyses with other West African countries to better understand regional variations and commonalities in the use of theatre for socio-political commentary.
Read the Full Article
The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.