This project is currently being developed as a supervision collaboration, being led from Goldsmiths, University of London. The research examines dance sequences of similar socio-emotional significance in nine small-scale societies to test the hypothesis that rhythm originates in mutual entrainment as opposed to originating in external entrainment to a musical beat. The small scale societies are Bohinemo, Fore, and Tobrianders (Papua New Guinea), Sadong (Borneo), Dani (Indonesia), Serer-Safen and Bedik (Senegal), and Waorani and Shuar (Amazonian Ecuador). Only ethnographic research is undertaken on Dioula dances in Cote d’Ivoire. Fieldwork has commenced on 1 March 2023 with a base at Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal and at the West African Research Center, Dakar, Senegal. It is now continuing in South America (since March 2024) with a base at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador. Fieldwork in Africa and South America is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Mamadou and Tudor discussing field work logistics at UCAD-Senegal in January 2021
Data collection among the Serer-Safen, June 2023
Bedik women after two boys’ initiation ceremony
