Caribbean and Atlantic Diaspora Dance: Igniting Citizenship

Product Description

In
Caribbean and Atlantic Diaspora Dance: Igniting Citizenship, Yvonne Daniel provides a sweeping cultural and historical examination of diaspora dance genres. In discussing relationships among African, Caribbean, and other diasporic dances, Daniel investigates social dances brought to the islands by Europeans and Africans, including
quadrilles and drum-dances as well as popular dances that followed, such as Carnival parading, Pan-Caribbean
danzas,
rumba, merengue, mambo, reggae, and
zouk. Daniel reviews sacred dance and closely documents combat dances, such as Martinican
ladja, Trinidadian
kalinda, and Cuban
juego de maní. In drawing on scores of performers and consultants from the region as well as on her own professional dance experience and acumen, Daniel adeptly places Caribbean dance in the context of cultural and economic globalization, connecting local practices to transnational and global processes and emphasizing the important role of dance in critical regional tourism.

Review

“A masterful synthesis that connects the dots between the varied places, genres, and performers throughout the stunningly diverse cultures of the Caribbean. Daniel impressively draws on local experts as well as scholars from across the region, which leads to a strong, in-depth analysis of dances such as
quadrille and
rumba.”

–Halbert Barton, professor of anthropology, Long Island University

“A stunning, career-capping synthesis of extended fieldwork. . . . Compelling at every turn, the book treats important figures in Caribbean dance and dance studies and provides extensive taxonomies of performance modes. . . . Highly recommended.”–
Choice

“A singular achievement that provides a definitive reference of the richness of practices and the resilience and dilemmas that confront dance in the Caribbean. Daniel effectively blends a dance insider’s command of formal corporal and musical dimensions with a keen eye for cultural, historical, and sociopolitical context.”–Randy Martin, author of
Socialist Ensembles: Theater and State in Cuba and Nicaragua

About the Author

Yvonne Daniel is a professor emerita of dance and Afro-American studies at Smith College and the author of
Dancing Wisdom: Embodied Knowledge in Haitian Vodou, Cuban Yoruba, and Bahian Candomble.