Dance and museology: complexities and potential relevance in the Nigerian context

In this work, the term museuming dance refers to the collection and preservation of dance as heritage in the museum; that is, safeguarding dance as a museum object. Fascinated by the originally western notion of curating dance in the museum, this paper looks at the possibility or not of achieving the museuming of dance in an African context. Attempts will be made to highlight the difference between dance in the museum/museum dancing and museuming dance in the context of this work. The argument presented here is that the preservation of dance in the museum is contrary to the Nigerian way of living and experiencing dance as a tradition. The preservation of traditional dances in the museum could imply the diminishing of its meaning to the local practitioners. To tackle this issue, I problematize the term ‘museum’, taking into cognizance its relevance, functions, advantages, and disadvantages. I also examine the concept of heritage, tangible and intangible, in relation to the UNESCO 2003 Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Finally, certain steps are proposed in order to achieve a dance/museology relationship that would boost museum activities and bring about more museum visitors in Nigeria.