Feb 25 / Cultural Eclecticism: Comparsa / House Keeping: Scheduling Presentations

 

I
 
Unit: Cultural Eclecticism
Theme: Comparsa

Introduction

Eclecticism adopts elements from various systems without necessarily integrating them into a single cohesive framework. This distinction allows for a broader, more inclusive approach in eclecticism, where the selection is based on individual merit or preference rather than an attempt to create a new unified tradition. The Spanish conquistadors did not plan for their culture to eclectically mix with other traditions. Comparsa, a street dance performed by a neighborhood band has elements from all cultures that shared the same space in the Americas.

 
II
 
Learning Objectives 

  • Understand carnival as an expression of African diasporic history
  • Explain the meaning of the terms Circum-Atlantic memory and socio-cultural density
  • Gain an awareness of the meaning of  the society of the spectacle
  • Experience carnival dance choreography

 III
 
Main Lesson 
 
1
 
 
Havana

Question 1

 What is you impression of Havana's carnival in 1961?

 

 2

 

 Question 2


What is the difference between Havana's Carnival and Santiago de Cuba's Carnival in terms of dance?


3

 Conga los Hoyos, Santiago de Cuba

 

 Article

Toward an Understanding of Conga santiaguera: Elements of La conga de Los Hoyos

https://www.utexaspressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7560/LAMR34204


Question 3

When comparing the Havana Carnival and the Santiago de Cuba Carnival, what are the things you observe are different?

 

 4

Conga as Show

https://youtu.be/j868ZBSJFuM?si=BcKD2qWuEA_w-WyH 

 

 5

https://youtu.be/oMBvJPZHHVY?si=abxrY1KcZ2yahx1l 

 

IV

 A Note to Remember

The African diaspora has left all over the continent traces of their religious, cultural and social practices. Carnival is one of the events that illustrate the impact that African cultures have had on Westernized culture since its insertion.

 

V

Case Study

Patricia Saunders


 Prof. Saunders is an associate professor of English at the University of Miami and Hemispheric Caribbean Studies Faculty Lead at the Miami Institute for the Advanced Study of the Americas. Her research and scholarship focus largely on the relationship between sexual identity and national identity in Caribbean literature and popular culture.

 



VI

Activity


Students learn conga/comparsa steps


Accompaniment for Dance

 

Learn the mains steps of the comparsa (carnival street dance)

Create your own steps or phrase with 8 moves


VII

Journaling


VIII

Glossary


IX

Sources

Milstein, Lani (n.d.).Toward an Understanding of Conga santiaguera: Elements of La conga de Los Hoyos. https://www.utexaspressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7560/LAMR34204

 

X

Students' Work

 

 

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