Doople: The Eternal Law of African Dance

by Alphonse Tierou

Overview

The African dancer requires complete technical mastery and must respect the precise rules handed down by the society of the Masques de Sagesse. Alphonse Tirou is from the Ouenon people of the Ivory Coast. His major study is the first written record of this oral tradition and it explains the movements, codes and meanings of the traditional African dance. It is extremely valuable reading for all those studying or interested in Africa, as dance is such an essential part of this continent's cultural heritage.A former student of the National Institute of Arts at Abidjan, Alphonse Tirou has been a senior dignitary in the Kman of the Masques de Sagesse for over twenty years. He is currently teaching at the Bloa Nam (Movements) dance school in Nmes, which he founded in 1979 and which is still the only school worldwide to research African dance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783718653065
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/14/1992
Series:	Choreography and Dance Studies Series , #2
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alphonse Tiérou, Deirdre McMahon

Table of Contents

African Culture and the West Traditional African Dance The Influence of the Natural World The African Concept of the World Three Levels of Teaching Basic Movements The Basic Techniques The Dance The Talents and Culture of Traditional African Dance Innovation, Improvisation and Creativity The Kagnioulé Mountains Secondary Forms The Plain The Forest The Coast Beo and Gnenon Dances The Circle in Architecture Social Life Criteria of Beauty The Glo The Caillo The Gla Methods of Spatial Arrangements: The Techniques The Directions Positions Dooplé The Soumplé The Dooplé, Kagnioulé and Slavery The Kagnidjéè The Djiétéba The Doundo The Tchinkoui The Kouitchin The Zépié The Neo The Positions of the Feet

Editorial Reviews

"In his book Dooplé, Alphonse Tiérou wants to keep alive the oral teaching which young Africans are gradually losing. His experience is relevant, however, to all Western peoples as well, because the harmony between man and the world, celebrated through African dance,is a dimension they have unfortunately lost." — Nathalie Leblanc of Young Africa
"Traditional African dance, little known in the West, has found an inspired and expert voice in Alphonse Tiérou." — Andreaa-Philippe Hersin of The Seasons of Dance

From the Publisher

In his book Dooplé, Alphonse Tiérou wants to keep alive the oral teaching which young Africans are gradually losing. His experience is relevant, however, to all Western peoples as well, because the harmony between man and the world, celebrated through African dance, is a dimension they have unfortunately lost.

Nathalie Leblanc

Traditional African dance, little known in the West, has found an inspired and expert voice in Alphonse Tiérou.

Andreaa-Philippe Hersin