Forms of Dance – Basic 6 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Identify notable Nigerian dancers
• Examine their contribution to national development
• Demonstrate one form of dance

Content

Notable Nigerian Dancers:

1. Kaffy (Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau)

• Background: Born in Lagos, internationally recognized dancer
• Achievements: Holds Guinness World Record for longest dancing marathon
• Style: Contemporary, Afrobeats, hip-hop fusion
• Contribution: Promotes Nigerian dance globally, mentors young dancers

2. Qudus Onikeku

• Background: Contemporary dancer, choreographer, and artistic director
• Training: Studied in Europe and Nigeria
• Style: Blends traditional African and contemporary dance
• Contribution: Preserves and modernizes Nigerian dance traditions

3. Incredible Zigi

• Background: Street dancer and choreographer
• Style: Afrobeats, street dance, contemporary
• Contribution: Popularizes Nigerian dance moves internationally

4. Petit Migrant

• Background: Young dancer who gained fame through social media
• Style: Afrobeats, contemporary
• Contribution: Shows how dance can transform young lives

Contributions to National Development:

Cultural Preservation:

• Maintaining traditional dance forms
• Teaching younger generations cultural heritage
• Documenting dance movements and stories

Economic Impact:

• Creating employment in entertainment industry
• Attracting tourists to Nigeria
• Promoting Nigerian culture for international business

Social Development:

• Providing positive outlets for youth
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Promoting physical fitness and health
• Creating social cohesion and unity

International Recognition:

• Showcasing Nigerian talent globally
• Improving Nigeria’s cultural image
• Creating opportunities for cultural exchange
• Inspiring young Nigerians to pursue arts careers

Forms of Dance to Demonstrate:

1. Traditional Nigerian Dances:

• Bata (Yoruba) – Energetic dance with rhythmic movements
• Ekombi (Efik) – Graceful movements celebrating womanhood
• Atilogwu (Igbo) – Acrobatic dance requiring skill and agility

2. Contemporary Nigerian Dance:

• Afrobeats Dance – Modern moves to popular Nigerian music
• Leg Work – Popular Nigerian street dance
• Shaku Shaku – Social dance that became internationally popular

3. Fusion Dances:

• Afro-Contemporary – Blends traditional and modern styles
• Afro-Jazz – Combines jazz techniques with African rhythms
• Cultural Fusion – Mixes different Nigerian ethnic dances

Basic Dance Elements:

• Rhythm – Moving in time with music
• Coordination – Using body parts together smoothly
• Expression – Showing emotions through movement
• Space – Using the performance area effectively
• Energy – Controlling the force of movements

Activities

• Learn basic steps of one traditional Nigerian dance
• Practice Afrobeats dance moves to popular Nigerian songs
• Create a simple dance routine in groups
• Watch videos of notable Nigerian dancers
• Demonstrate learned dance forms to the class

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which dancer holds a Guinness World Record? a) Qudus Onikeku b) Kaffy c) Incredible Zigi d) Petit Migrant 
2. Atilogwu dance originates from which Nigerian culture? a) Yoruba b) Hausa c) Igbo d) Efik 
3. Nigerian dancers contribute to national development through: a) Cultural preservation only b) Economic impact only c) Cultural preservation, economic impact, and social development d) Entertainment only 
4. Afrobeats dance is an example of: a) Traditional dance b) Contemporary Nigerian dance c) Foreign dance d) Religious dance 
5. The basic elements of dance include rhythm, coordination, expression, space, and: a) Voice b) Energy c) Color d) Language 

Homework

Choose one notable Nigerian dancer mentioned in class and write a detailed report about their life, achievements, and how they have helped promote Nigerian culture. Practice one form of Nigerian dance for 10 minutes daily and be ready to demonstrate it next week.