What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore how dance reflects and negotiates national and ethnic identities in Ethiopia.

March 4, 2026

I'm Not a Dancing Flag: Dancing Identities and Dancing Bodies in the Conception of the Ethiopian Nation

Puntos clave

This research aims to explore how dance reflects and negotiates national and ethnic identities in Ethiopia.
Analysis of contemporary dance shows in Addis Ababa since 2010
Examination of traditional dance forms and their cultural significance
Inquiry into the impact of governance on dance and identity
Discussion on the role of dancers in expressing Ethiopian identity
Dance serves as a crucial form of cultural expression within the Ethiopian nation.
Contemporary dance reflects a blend of traditional forms and modern influences.
The study finds that dance plays a significant role in negotiating identities amidst Ethiopia's diverse ethnic landscape.
Post-civil war, the use of dance has intensified in representing unity and cultural heritage.

Resumen

Abstract In Ethiopia, dance is an important aspect of intangible cultural heritage. Since 2010, dance shows in particular have become a popular form of entertainment and a significant tourist attraction in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Contemporary dance shows reflect a deep cultural heritage, encompassing decades of traditional dance forms, and serve to portray an image of the Ethiopian nation that is officially recognized and firmly established. This paper examines this popular form of expression and explores how dance has become a key component in the negotiation of national and ethnic identities over the last century and across three fundamentally different forms of governance in Ethiopia. It explores the role of dancers and the dancing body in the question of Ethiopian identity in a multicultural and multiethnic society, especially in the context of the recent civil war.

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