Carnaval in Ghana: Fancy Dress and Performance Aesthetics

Learn about the lively carnaval masquerade of Fancy Dress in coastal Ghana.

Wednesday, November 14th
6:00 p.m.
KOBC 101, LaRose Digital Theatre

Dr. Courtnay Micots, Assistant Professor of Art History

This talk centers on the lively carnaval masquerade of Fancy Dress in coastal Ghana. Fancy Dress has become an integral part of local celebrations such as Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Day, harvest festivals and at members’ funerals. Fancy Dress street parading incorporates periods of intense dancing in front of chiefs’ palaces, hotels and public squares. In the Winneba city competition, held every New Year’s Day since 1958, four performance elements – a “march pass” and three types of dancing – are judged.