Call for Panelists Women's Performance Art as Cultural Expression in Africa: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Present, and Defining the Future

Conference: The 9th Annual Conference of the Lagos Studies Association
Conference Theme: Continuities and Discontinuities in African Studies
Format: Hybrid (In person, University of Lagos and Virtual)
Conference Date: June 17-21, 2025
Abstract Deadline: December 1, 2024
Panel Organizers: Ruth Epochi-Olise (Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike), +234 8085978528/8038110548, Mary Nkemdilim Okocha-Ajila (Independent Scholar), +234 8087350141 & Bunmi Adedina (Lagos State University of Education, Oto/Ijanikin), +234 8032506578


In many African societies, performance has always been a vital medium for cultural expression, knowledge transmission, social commentary, and political resistance. Through various forms of artistic expressions, African women have explored performance both for honouring their heritage and voicing resistance against gendered oppression, cultural restrictions, systemic inequalities, and promoting social change.

However, the transformative prospect of these performances often encounters resistance from both within and outside Africa. By drawing on case studies from various regions, this panel aims to provide varied insights into the power of performance as a form of cultural expression that transcends traditional limitations. By examining historical precedents, current practices, and future potentials, the panel intends to highlight how women’s performances navigate social hierarchies, disrupt oppression, and redefine African cultural identity.

This panel will examine the impact of colonialism on gendered performance spaces, the suppression of female voices, and the strategies women have developed over the years to reclaim cultural narratives. Exploring how women in contemporary African societies use performance to confront socio-political issues such as gender inequality, economic marginalization, and social injustices. Discussions will focus on the evolving landscape of African performance art in a digital era, where online platforms amplify female voices and connect African diaspora communities globally. Anticipating how younger generations of African women can harness the legacy of performance to construct new, inclusive narratives that honor tradition while promoting progressive values. The goal of the panel is to encourage scholars, artists, and activists to consider new ways of integrating performance as a tool for advocacy and empowerment within African contexts and beyond.

To participate in this panel, please send any topic that engages with the above theme in a 250-word abstract, indicating full name, institutional affiliation (s), email to epochi-olise.ruth@funai.edu.ng; mokocha@kean.edu or adedinano@lasued.edu.ng.