ABSTRACT
The first chapter serves as an introduction to the whole study; it contextualises the discussion and reflects on notions of performance in the East African historical context. We also explore ways in which people’s perception and conceptualisation of performance reflect the identity, location, and lived experiences of the peoples who own and produce these performances. Focusing on the question of performance and the role of migration and colonial borders in shaping various genres, forms, and styles, we use the chapter to reflect on some of the important ideas of performance and the way they are conceived by different communities; however, in doing this we also on occasions cross-reference these essentially East African (African) sensibilities to the performance aesthetics and sensibilities from other parts of the world.
