Indigenous dance performances are windows to a people’s way of life and its performance especially in African. It reflects sociological and environmental realities of a particular period. The Imo State Council for Arts and Culture popularly referred to as the ‘Omenimo’ troupe, charged with preservation of performative culture of Imo State have witnessed contemporary challenges stemming from the perceived ‘stagnant’ chorographic idioms in her performances. This research observed that choreographic idioms in ‘Omenimo’ performances do not fill the aesthetic vacuum of the contemporary nature of today’s audiences. However, using the formalist theory and observation methodology, the findings of this paper suggests, among others, the blend of contemporary aesthetic idioms into the choreographic and performative philosophies of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture (ISCAC). Also, adopting formalist consciousness will aid ‘Omenimo’ troupe towards creating new dance forms that will be at par with societal realities and dynamics, increase their dance and movement vocabularies and performances, as well as add to her image boost in Owerri and its environs.
Rethinking, Choreographic Idioms, Contemporary, Performance.
