The Sculptural Elements in Kwagh-Hir Popular Theatre: The Interface Between the Local and the Global

Abstract

Kwagh-hir theatre is a dynamic theatre of the Tiv people of Central Nigeria. It is also a puppet theatre. It features both giant puppets (ubermeronmettes) and smaller ones which are manipulatable on mobile platforms. In addition to this, Kwagh –hir features masquerade displays of both animal and human representations, The masks is therefore an important feature of Kwagh-hir theatre and sculpturing an equally dynamic super-activity/element in Kwagh-hir theatre. Moreover, recent study has registered an increasing (influence of globalization) on aspects of Kwagh-hir sculpturing and themes. This paper attempts a scrutiny of the sculptural element in Kwagh-hir theatre as a complement to its other features, identifying and tracing its growth from its beginning to its current stage within the context of globalizing ethos.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 8(3), 181-197, 2011