Dance Movement Therapy Commons^™

A Community That Dances Never Dies: An Ethnographic Study On People Of The African Diaspora Within The African Dance And Drum Community In Chicago, Ifetayo Kitwana

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

This ethnographic study explored the possible innate healing properties and therapeutic aspects of West African dance within a public community setting for people of the African diaspora, specifically the African dance and drum community of Chicago. The study was conducted to identify a possible means for preventative work, explore the unique mental health needs of African Americans and expand the understanding of dance/movement therapy concepts outside of the clinical setting. The study revealed the usefulness of West African dance as a means to connect African Americans to their heritage of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. A narrative analysis of informal …