Movement politics: dance criticism in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Abstract

This article investigates how written and spoken discourse has influenced dance pedagogy, performance and choreography in Palestine (and subsequently the Occupied Palestinian Territories) during the last 150 years. This includes an analysis of imperial, nationalist and Islamist cultural commentaries through published literature and public oral forums on Palestine. Whilst these verbal expressions are varied (and include travel accounts, anthropological studies, critical reviews, artists' reflections and political debates), they share an interest in critically appraising the value of local dance activities. The historical review leads into a consideration of how foreign hegemony and subsequent shifts in domestic politics can influence dance writing and present obstacles to dance artists working within such politically marginalised and collectively traumatised population groups. It concludes with a review of strategies for how critical discourse may be made more inclusive and sustainable. The article draws upon ethnographic, historical and action research undertaken within the West Bank city of Ramallah between 2000 and 2007.