The Disruption of Dance: Analyzing Identity Within Indigenous Performance Protests
Major
International and Global Studies
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
International Studies
Faculty Advisor
William Munro
Location
CNS E101
Start Date
4-11-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 9:30 AM
Abstract
Performance protests, which contain an element of spectacle directed toward different audiences, fall under the category of “preacful protests”. According to theorists such as Frantz Fanon and Guillermo O'Donnell, these protests are considered successful in drawing attention but do not consistently result in direct change or disruption overall, compared to non-peaceful protests. However, do performance protests done by Indigenous groups, such as the Māori Haka or the South African toyi-toyi, yield different results than other performance protests that are done without an aspect of Indigenous identity? This paper argues that there is a different kind of challenge present within an Indigenous performance protest against a complacent, settler-colonial mindset, which is then perceived as a larger threat compared to other performance protests. Because of this, they yield different kinds of responses from both society and government systems. By examining the reception via social media/first-hand accounts, documented results of the disruptions, and scholarly sources detailing the protests and their responses, a comparative study is conducted on the aftermath of these differing types of performance protest. Findings suggest that due to the direct relationship between the performance done by an Indigenous group and the phenomenon being protested, as well as the perceptions of Indigenous practices that are forged through settler colonialism, there is a measurable difference in their results in contrast to other performance protests.
The Disruption of Dance: Analyzing Identity Within Indigenous Performance Protests
CNS E101
Performance protests, which contain an element of spectacle directed toward different audiences, fall under the category of “preacful protests”. According to theorists such as Frantz Fanon and Guillermo O'Donnell, these protests are considered successful in drawing attention but do not consistently result in direct change or disruption overall, compared to non-peaceful protests. However, do performance protests done by Indigenous groups, such as the Māori Haka or the South African toyi-toyi, yield different results than other performance protests that are done without an aspect of Indigenous identity? This paper argues that there is a different kind of challenge present within an Indigenous performance protest against a complacent, settler-colonial mindset, which is then perceived as a larger threat compared to other performance protests. Because of this, they yield different kinds of responses from both society and government systems. By examining the reception via social media/first-hand accounts, documented results of the disruptions, and scholarly sources detailing the protests and their responses, a comparative study is conducted on the aftermath of these differing types of performance protest. Findings suggest that due to the direct relationship between the performance done by an Indigenous group and the phenomenon being protested, as well as the perceptions of Indigenous practices that are forged through settler colonialism, there is a measurable difference in their results in contrast to other performance protests.