Rivers State University Theatre and Film Studies students photos wey showcase Traditional African society trends for social media
This week, photos of the induction ceremony
of theater and art studies students of the rivers state university went viral on
social media during their induction ceremony. The viral photos showed 100 to
200 level students of the department dressing in different African traditional
attires showcasing different societies in Africa.
Dr. lloma Nyenwemaduka Richard, the Head of the
Department of Theatre and film studies Of RSUST Told BBC pidgin that the photos
that went viral are photos of year one and year two students who through a carnival-like
display showcased the contemporary African traditional dressing during their
induction ceremony.
“They are year one and year two students. The department is
just two years old. We couldn`t do it last year because of covid-19, hence we
merged the year one and year two students she said”
Although the pictures of these students
trended on social media, students from theatre and arts institutions across the
country are known for their drama, art, and creativity on campus.
According to Dr
lloma, there is nothing strange about the way the induction ceremony was performed
and that this is the way induction ceremony is also carried out in theatre and
art departments.
“Theatre is a reflection of the society and a mirror of the
society. It shows everything about a sociary whether traditional or
contemporary. In the USA, Canada, Japan, or any other part of the word, their
theatre art reproduces a true reflection of the social life of the people
there. So in Nigeria and Africa at large, the students decided to mirror the
traditional society that exists in Nigeria Dr lloma said.
According to Dr lloma,
the induction ceremony has officially made the students Thespians. “Historically,
the first actor in the whole world is a made from Greece called Thespis, they
are trying to go back in history. It was
part of the state-sponsored festival activities that Thespians won the prize as
the first actor. So anyone studying theatre arts is named after Thespis as a
Thespian. Do with the induction ceremony, they have all become Thespians.
According to Dr
lloma, the practice of theatre arts requires a lot of discipline ethics, and
collaboration, with other people. So they are training the students to
cultivate the right attitude that will be required during productions they will
be carrying out during their studies and even later as professionals.
