Theatrical and dramatic elements of Haitian Voodoo.
Item
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Title
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Theatrical and dramatic elements of Haitian Voodoo.
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Identifier
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AAI8821061
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identifier
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8821061
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Creator
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Alcide, Marie-Jose.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Stanley A. Waren
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Date
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1988
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Theater
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Abstract
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Voodoo (spirit), essentially African, is the indigenous religion of Haiti, practiced by about 90% of the population. As with many religions, Voodoo is a source of Art. It contains myths, legends, dances, music, songs, philosophy and poetry. The study established that Voodoo is a potent theatrical force. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, its artistic resources have not yet been plumbed fully.;This thesis focuses on the relationship between Voodoo and theatre, a subject on which very limited research has been done. The objective is to demonstrate that Voodoo, like some other rituals, encompasses theatrical and dramatic elements which give it the character of a sacred theatre.;Theatrical and dramatic elements are analyzed basically according to Aristotelian criteria.;The research reveals that Voodoo contains eight major theatrical elements: impersonation, mise-en-scene, audience, chorus, music, dance, scenery, costume, and four dramatic elements: plot, character, thought, diction.;These theatrical and dramatic elements make Voodoo a potential model for a secular indigenous theatre in Haiti.;The work is divided into six chapters: The introduction explains the need for the thesis and its significance; the second chapter, the historical background, sheds light on the evolution of Voodoo in Haiti; the third chapter, ritual and theatre, demonstrates the relationship between ritual and theatre in other parts of the world and describes the criteria of drama as perceived by Aristotle; the fourth chapter anlayzes the theatrical elements of Voodoo, the fifth, the dramatic elements of Voodoo; and the last chapter, the conclusion, summarizes the findings and shows how the secular theatre can utilize the theatrical and dramatic elements discovered in Voodoo.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
