Presentation

Few areas of dance research and writing have been as underrepresented and misunderstood in scholarly literature as MENACA (Middle Eastern, North African, and Central Asian) dances, whether with regards to historical or contemporary contexts of performance.

However, as witnessed through conferences of the Dance Studies Association (formerly Congress on Research and Dance and Society of Dance History Scholars), the number of presentations in this field has increased. Furthermore, there have been increasing numbers of emerging scholars over the past decade whose research has focused on various aspects of dance genres originating in MENACA countries. These combined, merit a full conference dedicated to new research in these regions and their diaspora communities.

This symposium aims to contribute to debates on decolonization and dance studies. These concerns were discussed during the DSA Conference in Malta (2018), and further explored in the 2020 issue of Decolonizing Dance Discourses and at the DSA Conference in Vancouver (2022).  In addition to decolonization in dance studies, we seek to bring to the debate how future prospects for dance education should reconsider present academic canons.

We welcome you to participate in this exciting opportunity to meet dancers, choreographers, and scholars active in education, performance, and research in MENA and Central Asian dances.