Hybridity and Aesthetics of Syncretic Lighting in Ogrinye and Kwagh-hir Performances

Abstract

Cultures interlace, enhance, create new perspectives, identities and understanding. Culture percolation may be blamed on colonialism, perhaps, further envenomed in post-colonial times by the advancements in digital technology, transportation and tourism, etc. In post-colonial times therefore, it is speculative to assert that many cultures are still in their authentic states. Thus, what obtains is a form of hybridisation-traditionalism and modernism. As cultures continue to evolve, so are their performance traditions-they integrate and assimilate new aesthetic innovations. On this pretext, this paper examines the aesthetics of the intermixture of traditional and modern lighting technology in Ogrinye and Kwagh-hir. This technical continuum and or interaction gave these elements a new aesthetic niche and also broadened the understanding and aesthetic dicta and sensibilities of the bearers of these elements. It also led to the need to improve the skills set and techne of traditional lighting designers. The paper encourages indigenous and contemporary theatre practitioners to take advantage of modern theatre lighting to advance the aesthetics of African performances.