This research project originates in correspondence with Prof Steven Brown (McMaster University) and is currently being developed in collaboration with scholars in the Psychology Department, Goldsmiths, University of London. The research will examine dance sequences of similar socio-emotional significance in eight 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 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. The baseline study is being developed together with colleagues at the University of Mauritius. Fieldwork in South America commenced in March 2024 with a base at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Ecuador. This fieldwork is currently funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
