Traditional Dance: Meaning of Dance and Materials Used for Traditional Dances Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 4 Cultural and Creative Arts

TRADITIONAL DANCE: MEANING OF DANCE AND MATERIALS USED FOR TRADITIONAL DANCES

CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ARTS (CCA)

PRIMARY 4 – FIRST TERM – WEEK 

THEME –  DRAMA 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Drama and Theatre: Introduction to Drama and Theatre, and People Involved in Drama and Theatre Performances Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 3 Cultural and Creative Arts

TOPIC – TRADITIONAL DANCE 

LEARNING 

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Dance and Traditional Dance

3. Materials used for Traditional Dances

4. Uses and Importance of Traditional Dance

6. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

7. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of dance.

2. Explain the meaning of traditional dance.

3. Mention at least five materials used for traditional dances.

4. Identify examples of traditional dances in Nigeria.

6. State the uses and importance of traditional dance.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about Drama and Theatre: Introduction to Drama and Theatre, and People Involved in Drama and Theatre Performances. They understand that drama involves acting, singing, dancing, and performing before an audience.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by introducing pupils to traditional dance, its meaning, examples of traditional dances in Nigeria, and the materials used during traditional dance performances.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Pictures of traditional dancers and dance performances

2. Traditional costumes

3. Beads and headgear

4. Drums and other traditional musical instruments

5. Ankle bells and rattles

7. Video clips of traditional dances (where available)

8. Charts showing examples of Nigerian traditional dances

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Dance is an important part of our culture and everyday life. People dance during festivals, weddings, celebrations, and other special occasions to express happiness, tell stories, and entertain others. Different communities in Nigeria have their own traditional dances that show their culture and way of life.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of dance and traditional dance, identify materials used for traditional dances, and mention examples of traditional dances in Nigeria. They will also understand the importance of traditional dance in preserving culture and promoting unity.

LESSON 2 – MEANING OF DANCE

Dance is the movement of the body to the rhythm of music or drum beats. People dance for fun, entertainment, worship, exercise, and celebrations.

MEANING OF TRADITIONAL DANCE

Traditional dance is a cultural dance that is performed by people of a particular community or ethnic group. It reflects their customs, beliefs, and way of life and is usually performed during festivals, ceremonies, and special occasions.

MATERIALS USED FOR TRADITIONAL DANCES

The following materials are commonly used during traditional dance performances:

1. Traditional costumes – Special clothes worn by dancers.

2. Beads – Worn around the neck, wrists, waist, or ankles.

3. Headgear – Caps, crowns, or head ties worn by dancers.

4. Ankle bells – Bells tied to the ankles to produce sound while dancing.

5. Drums – Used to provide rhythm for the dance.

6. Gongs – Metal instruments used to produce musical sounds.

7. Rattles – Musical instruments shaken to produce rhythm.

8. Horns – Traditional instruments blown during performances.

9. Hand fans – Carried by dancers as part of the performance.

10. Walking sticks or staffs – Used as dance props in some traditional dances.

LESSON 2 – USES OF TRADITIONAL DANCE

Traditional dance is used to:

1. Entertain people.

2. Celebrate festivals and ceremonies.

3. Preserve culture and traditions.

4. Welcome important visitors.

5. Express joy and happiness.

6. Promote unity in the community.

7. Teach cultural values and history.

IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL DANCE

Traditional dance helps to:

1. Preserve cultural heritage.

2. Promote unity among people.

3. Develop physical fitness.

4. Encourage teamwork.

5. Build confidence.

6. Entertain audiences.

EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL DANCES IN NIGERIA

Nigeria has many traditional dances performed by different ethnic groups. Some examples include:

1. Bata Dance (Yoruba) – A lively dance performed to the rhythm of Bata drums during festivals and special ceremonies.

2. Atilogwu Dance (Igbo) – An energetic dance known for fast movements, acrobatics, and colourful costumes.

3. Koroso Dance (Hausa) – A traditional dance performed during cultural celebrations and festive occasions.

4. Swange Dance (Tiv) – A popular dance of the Tiv people, performed during social and cultural events.

5. Ekombi Dance (Efik) – A graceful dance of the Efik people, commonly performed during festivals, ceremonies, and entertainment events.

LESSON 3 – WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Dance is the movement of the body to the rhythm of ________.

A water

B. music

C. books

D. food

2. Traditional dance is a dance that shows the ________ of a community.

A. weather

B. building

C. culture

D. machine

3. Which of the following is used in traditional dance?

A. Fan

B. Computer

C. Television

D. Drum

4. Beads are worn by traditional dancers on their ________.

A. books

B. neck, wrist, waist, or ankles

C. tables

D. shoes only

5. Bata Dance is a traditional dance of the ________ people.

A. Yoruba

B. Hausa

C. Igbo

D. Tiv

B. Fill in the Gaps

Complete the sentences using the words in the box: costumes, Ekombi, dance drums, culture

6. _______ is the movement of the body to music or drum beats.

7. Traditional dance helps to preserve our _______.

8. _______ are used to provide rhythm during traditional dances.

9. Traditional _______ are special clothes worn by dancers.

10. _______ Dance is a traditional dance of the Efik people.

C. True or False

11. Dance involves movement of the body. _______

12. Traditional dance does not represent the culture of a people. _______

13. Drums and beads are materials used for traditional dances. _______

14. Atilogwu Dance is an Igbo traditional dance. _______

15. Traditional dance can be used to entertain people. _______

D. Match Column A with the correct answer in Column B.

Column A – Column B

16. Bata Dance – A. Efik

17. Atilogwu Dance – B. Yoruba

18. Swange Dance – C. Igbo

19. Ekombi Dance – D. Tiv

20. Koroso Dance – E. Hausa

ANSWER KEYS

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. B – Music

2. C – Culture

3. D – Drum

4. B  – Neck, wrist, waist, or ankles

5. A – Yoruba

6. dance

7. culture

8. drums

9. costumes

10. Ekombi

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. True

15. True

16. B – Yoruba

17. C – Igbo

18. D – Tiv

19. A – Efik

20. E – Hausa

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that dance is the movement of the body to the rhythm of music or drum beats, while traditional dance is a cultural dance performed by people of a particular community or ethnic group during festivals, ceremonies, and special occasions.

Pupils identified the materials used for traditional dances, such as traditional costumes, beads, headgear, ankle bells, drums, gongs, rattles, horns, hand fans, and walking sticks.

Furthermore, pupils learned the uses and importance of traditional dance, including entertainment, cultural preservation, celebration of festivals, promotion of unity, and teaching cultural values.

Finally, pupils identified examples of traditional dances in Nigeria, including Bata Dance (Yoruba), Atilogwu Dance (Igbo), Koroso Dance (Hausa), Swange Dance (Tiv), and Ekombi Dance (Efik).

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction – The teacher plays a short traditional song or video of a traditional dance and asks pupils if they have seen people perform such dances during festivals, weddings, or cultural celebrations.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the dance, share their experiences, and respond to the teacher’s questions.

Step 2: Meaning of Dance and Traditional Dance – The teacher explains that dance is the movement of the body to the rhythm of music or drum beats, while traditional dance is a cultural dance performed by people of a particular community or ethnic group.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain the meanings of dance and traditional dance in their own words.

Step 3: Materials Used for Traditional Dances – The teacher displays and explains the materials used during traditional dance performances, such as traditional costumes, beads, headgear, ankle bells, drums, gongs, rattles, horns, hand fans, and walking sticks.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify the materials and describe how they are used during traditional dances.

Step 4: Examples of Traditional Dances in Nigeria – The teacher introduces examples of traditional dances in Nigeria, including Bata Dance (Yoruba), Atilogwu Dance (Igbo), Koroso Dance (Hausa), Swange Dance (Tiv), and Ekombi Dance (Efik).

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention traditional dances they know and identify the ethnic groups that perform them.

Step 5: Uses and Importance of Traditional Dance – The teacher explains the uses and importance of traditional dance, such as entertainment, cultural preservation, celebrations, promotion of unity, and teaching cultural values.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss the importance of traditional dance in their communities.

Step 6: Group Activity – The teacher divides the class into four groups and assigns the following activities:

• Group 1: Explain the meaning of dance and traditional dance.

• Group 2: Mention five materials used for traditional dances.

• Group 3: Identify five traditional dances in Nigeria and the ethnic groups that perform them.

• Group 4: State the uses and importance of traditional dance.

Each group presents its work to the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss the assigned tasks and present their findings.

Step 7: Lesson Summary – The teacher reviews the meaning of dance and traditional dance, the materials used for traditional dances, examples of traditional dances in Nigeria, and their uses and importance.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise the lesson.

Step 8: Evaluation – The teacher asks oral and written questions to assess pupils’ understanding of the lesson.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the evaluation questions and participate actively in the lesson.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Nigerian Artworks: Meaning, Classification and Importance of Artworks Primary 4 (Basic 4) First Term Week 5 Cultural and Creative Arts

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. Explain the meaning of dance.

2. Explain the meaning of traditional dance.

3. Mention at least five materials used for traditional dances.

4. Identify at least five examples of traditional dances in Nigeria.

5. State at least five uses and importance of traditional dance.

6. Demonstrate simple traditional dance steps during class activities.