Mapping the “naturecultural turn” in performance studies

Brisini, Travis

doi:10.1080/10462937.2021.1916582

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…To deal with the above challenges, more attention should be given to local ways of doing, moving beyond the idealized “natural” and “cultural”, and the “body” and “mind” dichotomy [ 8 , 25 , 26 ]. From the late 20th century, scholars from various disciplines noted the correlation between natural and cultural in human behaviors and development and suggested new approaches towards an integrative understanding of this topic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is worth noting that body performance, as part of daily human experiences, its biological, psychological, and sociocultural features are simultaneously and inseparably intertwined. Comprehensive understanding requires an integrative approach that blurs the boundaries between biological/natural and sociocultural in academic discussions [8][9][10][11]. This study focuses on the jump performance of pastoralist Maasai in Southern Kenya.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Jumping is not just about height: Biosocial becomings as an integrative approach in understanding contextualized jump performance in Maasai society

et al. 2022

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Studies focused on jumping performance in humans have so far investigated either its biological or sociocultural significance, with very little attentions paid to the inseparable relations of these two aspects in daily life of people. Integrating both ethnographic and biomechanical methods, this research investigated the biosocial features of the jump performance of Maasai youth in its most well observed context, the wedding ceremony. Ethnographic data were used to explain the social status of participants, the physical movements and singing tempo of performers, and their interactions. Biomechanical methods were applied to assess the heights and frequencies of identified repetitive double-legged vertical jumps (n = 160, from 15 male youths). All youth performers followed a certain posture pattern, paying specific attention to their final landing. Large variations exist in their jumping heights [coefficient of variation (CV) = 0.237]; however, the frequency in jump repetitions were maintained with the least variations (CV = 0.084). Cheering interactions were confirmed, but with no significant difference in height between the cheered and non-cheered groups. These results indicate that the Maasai youths did not compete for jump height during local ceremonies. Rather, they emphasized the rhythmical retention of jumps, corresponding to other youth mates who were singing alongside. In the broader context of human behaviors, the analysis addresses the diverse meanings of motor performances in different daily contexts that reject the generalized sports regime of “higher/faster-the-better”.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%