Sankofa
Linda Vera la Hannah Williams, Mary Lynn Patterson
October 20, 2023 DOI: 10.17918/00001982 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that dance, spirituality, and culturally held concepts of healing are intertwined, and that West African and African Diaspora practices offer a lens for rethinking Western mental health and psychotherapy. Proposes parallels between healing aspects of dance and spirituality in the African Diaspora and Yalom's therapeutic factors and Schmais's healing properties, and considers how colonialism shaped Diaspora expressions of spirituality and dance. |
Abstract
This paper explores the role of dance as it relates to spirituality, mental health, and culturally held concepts of healing from mental illness. These connections are explored through an inquiry into Western based mental health practices and spiritual practices with an anthropological lens on West Africa and the African Diaspora in the Americas. The paper aims to inform the author's autoethnographic journey where she seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What is spirituality and how does it differ from religion? 2. What is healing about dance in conjunction with spirituality? 3. What is the connection between religion, spirituality, and psychotherapy? 4. Are there any connections to the healing aspects of dance and spirituality in the African Diaspora with Yalom's therapeutic factors and Schamais' healing properties? 5. Why did the prayer camp she observed during an educational trip to Ghana, practice rituals similar to what she observed in church during her youth? 6. What was the impact of colonialism on expressions of spirituality and dance in African Diaspora? 7. Is there a connection between hip movement and spirituality? 8. How will these findings inform my future practice as a dance movement therapist in working with members African Diaspora and military community members. Keywords: dance, altered states of consciousness, possession, West Africa, spirituality, Ghana, Ifa, Palo, Santeria, Vodou, Obeah, Candomble,' religion, spirituality, African diaspora, healing, mental health, culture, colonialism, decolonizing therapy, therapy, healing