Paper short abstract:

Digital platforms have gained prominence especially post covid. TikTok is one of such platforms that has promoted dance in various ways. Ghanaian indigenous dance creators have not as much caught up with the craze. This paper explores Ghanaian indigenous dance on TikTok.

Paper long abstract:

In recent years, the increasing influence of digital platforms like TikTok has provided an opportunity for indigenous creators to share their cultures with a global audience. Ghanaian indigenous dance has been a significant part of the country’s cultural heritage for centuries. However, indigenous dancers in Ghana have not, as yet, taken full advantage of digitized platforms for heritage preservation. The study is contextualized within the theoretical perspectives of cultural preservation, digital anthropology, and media studies. A qualitative research design was employed, including digital ethnography, interviews with Indigenous creators, and a content analysis of TikTok dance videos for a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. This approach provided an in-depth understanding of the experiences of Ghanaian indigenous creators on TikTok and the reception of Indigenous dance content on the platform. It was found, amongst others, that there is a growing reception and appreciation for indigenous dance content on Tiktok, albeit slower than contemporary dance, thereby promoting cultural sensitivity. The research contributes to the literature on the use of social media platforms for cultural preservation and provides valuable insights into the potential of TikTok in preserving and promoting indigenous dance in the digital age.

Keywords:

Cultural Heritage, Ghanaian Indigenous Dance, Reception, TikTok, Digital Age