An Italian scholar of modern languages, Boscolo became enamored with Nigerian literature, especially Yor羅b獺, and here focuses on a genre of performing arts that has received little attention.
Od繳n can mean several things, she explains--it is poetry, dances, masks, food, prayer; it is play and belief; it is interaction between performers and spectators; it is politics and power; and
it is the quintessential site of knowledge, and as such possesses the power to transform. She explores its aesthetic dimension, highlighting some traits and strategies that underlie the
performance. Making case studies of od繳n Ed穩 as performed in Il矇-If癡, and od繳n eg繳g繳n as performed in �b�d�n, she analyzes the discourse in previous criticism, including the context and how
individual approaches have directed the critical reception. Then she explores the performance more concretely, and the interpretation of the elements it offers to participants and viewers.
Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
