Intangible Cultural Heritage
Kwagh-Hir theatrical performance
KwaghHir theatrical performance is a composite art form encompassing a spectacle that is both visually stimulating and culturally edifying Kwaghhir has its roots in the storytelling tradition of the Tiv people called kwaghalom a practice where the family was treated to a storytelling session by creative storytellers usually in the early hours of the night after the days farming work With time creative storytellers began to dramatize these stories culminating in the present stage and status of Kwaghhir The practice is a social performance with the potential to entertain and teach moral lessons through the dramatization and performance of past and current social realities As a form of total theatre Kwaghhir incorporates puppetry masquerading poetry music dance and animated narratives in articulating the reality of the Tiv people Peoples daily struggles aspirations successes and failures are all given expression through creative dramatization Khwaghhir theatre is owned by the community with knowledge and skills being transmitted through apprenticeship People who indicate an interest in the troupes activities are trained and mentored until they reach a certain level of proficiency they are then accepted into the troupe Regular performances are held to ensure the art is kept alive and that the younger generation continues to identify with it
Nigeria