Using Drama to Propagate Home-Grown Innovation: Reflections of an Ideological Playwright

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt by a playwright to discuss the basis for an ideological play that he co-authored with Benedict Binebai. Conceived as a play which approximates a public policy statement, Dancers from Africa is critiqued by one of its authors and in the process highlighting the Africanist fervor therein. In contextualizing how Africa played noble paths in the past to advance human civilization, the play by Greg Mbajiorgu and Benedict Binebai is positioned as a pro-innovation drama. The paper addresses how through the debate Dida has with the Eurocentric Edward Powel and Henry Duke we come to terms with the near-existential argument about the contributions of the ancient centres of civilization to modern concepts of copper, bronze, brass and silver casting. Dance is conceived as a paradigm through which the misinterpretations of black history are re-examined and placed in their right context. The paper confirms that there are instances in which drama could be harnessed to play the same role a position paper can play.