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Dr. Sylvanus K. Kuwor

Dr. Sylvanus K. Kuwor
Head of Department & Lecturer
skuwor@ug.edu.gh

DR. S. K. KUWOR (Anthropo-Choreologist and Head of Department)

Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor is a master drummer, music, dance and theatre practitioner/scholar who lectures at the University of Ghana, Legon. He has had a decade of experience in Britain as a cultural educator where he used African drum music and dance in inclusion programmes aimed at integrating African refugees into mainstream society. He holds a Diploma in Dance Studies from the University of Ghana, Master of Arts Degree in Creative and Professional Writing from Brunel University in London, a Postgraduate Diploma in Ethnochoreology from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and a PhD in Dance Anthropology from the University of Roehampton in London.

He is a recipient of RUSH doctoral scholarship, Choreomundus Visiting Scholar Grant as well as Andrew Mellon Research Grant. He has also delivered drumming workshops in over 300 schools and institutions in the UK and has also written several academic articles on African drumming and dance from Ghanaian perspective. He is also the editor of Journal of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. Dr. Kuwor is currently the Head of Department of Dance Studies at the University of Ghana. He belongs to African Transdisciplinary Research Network and leads its segment on Science and Stories. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and also supervises graduate theses. His current research focuses on Anthropological investigation of Ghanaian and African dance forms as well as re-choreographing these dances to highlight their contemporary relevance.

PUBLICATIONS

a. Book Chapters

  • Kuwor, S. K. (2015) Representation- My Africanist Perspective In Kwasi Ampene et al edited Discourses of African Musicology.  Michigan: University of Michigan

b. Published Research Work in Refereed Journals

  • Kuwor, S.K. (2017) Dance and health in perspective. Journal of Performing Arts, vol. 5, no. 2, pp.1-12.
  • Kuwor, S.K. (2017) Understanding African dance in context: Perspectives from Ghana. Africology: Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.10, no. 4, pp.47-64.
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2017) African dance as a tool for cultural re-union. Accepted for publication by Arlarinjo Journal of Theatre and Media Arts.
  • Kuwor, S.K. (2016) Dance as a vital part of Anlo traditional media. Journal of Performing Arts Vol. 5 (1) pp. 73-100.
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2014) Commodification of Dance and its Effects on African Dance Companies in the UK.  African Performance    Review. Vol. 7(1) pp. 116-134.   
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2013) ‘The Impact of Adzido on Black Dance and Cross-Cultural Education in British Schools’. Review of Human Factor Studies Vol. 19 (1) pp. 70-108.
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) ‘Dance Aesthetics-The Case of Anlo-Ewes of Ghana’. Journal of Gleanings from Academic Outliers (JGAO). Vol. 1(1) pp. 211-23.

PAPER PRESENTATIONS AT MAJOR CONFERENCES

  • Kuwor, S.K & Darko, D.J. (2016) Dance as a tool for cultural re-union in the church: Asare Newman technique. International Christian Dance Fellowship Conference on the theme, “Proclaiming the Goodness of God”, University of Ghana.
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2015) Dance Aesthetics: An African Perspective. Symposium of Dance Researchers and Choreomundus students on the theme, ‘Contemporary Approaches in Dance Anthropology, University of Szeged, Hungary.
  • Kuwor, S.K. (2015) Dance as a tool for cultural re-union. International Research Conference on the theme ‘Multidisciplinary research and transformations in Africa’. (College of Humanities, University of Ghana Legon).
  • Kuwor, S K (2012) Communication in Context, Symposium for researchers and Graduate students, University of Roehampton, London. UK.

CREATIVE WORKS

  • Kuwor, S. K. (2017) Interdisciplinary team building drumming workshop, University of Ghana. Presented as part of School of Performing Arts International Conference.
  • Kuwor, S. K; Anthonio, K & Yartey, T (2017) Recreation of Ghanaian national identity.  Performed at Blackstar square as part of Ghana’s 60th independence anniversary celebration (6th March, 2017: 10.00am- 1.00pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2016) Libation and Efa Divination. Tottenham Leisure Centre, London. UK. Commissioned by Noviha UK as part of Diasporic version of the Anlo’s Hogbetsotso festival (10th September, 2016: 6.00pm -10.00pm)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2015) Music and Dance in Education, Mt. Mary’s College of Education, Somanya. A combination of lecture and performance in Music and Dance.
  • Kuwor, S. K, Benagr, S & Fiagbedzi, E (2014) Performing Arts in conflict resolution and peace building. Commissioned by Catholic Relieve Service. (June, 2014)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2013) ‘Jembey’ an African choreographic piece performed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) A night of African music and dance. Whitworth Gallery, University of Manchester under the auspices of Cultural Olympia through Ligua Franca on the theme, ‘Celebrating diversity of Cultures through dance’ as part of London Olympic Games (Thursday, 21st June,  2012- 7.00-9.00pm)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) Hesu, a dance piece that expresses Nkrumah’s famous statement ‘We Face Forward’. Manchester Gallery under the auspices of Cultural Olympia through Ligua Franca on the theme, ‘Celebrating diversity of Cultures through dance’ as part of London Olympic Games (Thursday, 19th July,  2012: 7.00-9.00pm)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) African dance and social integration. Crewe market square under the auspices of Mayor of Chester as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in North-West England (Tuesday, 7th August,  2012: 11.00am -1.00pm)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) Ghanaian traditions in dance. Michaelis Theatre, University of Roehampton, London under the auspices of Youth Dance England (Saturday, 14th July, 2012: 4.00-5.00pm)
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) Breaking the Rules. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (N.T.N.U.) Trondheim, Norway under the auspices of Annual gathering of Ethno-choreologists and Dance Anthropologists (Thursday, 26thApril, 2012: 7.00-8.00pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2012) Libation. West Indian Centre, Manchester on the occasion of Emancipation Day Celebration under the auspices African Caribbean Association of Manchester. (Wednesday, 1stAugust, 2012: 3.00-4.00pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2011) Roehampton Movers in Kpatsa Dance. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway and sponsored by the European Union Fund (Thursday, 28thApril, 2011: 7.00-8.00pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2011) Sogbelisa. John Spendluffe Technology College, Alford. UK, commissioned by Trap Media Arts Agency for Black History Month Celebration. (Friday, 21stOctober, 2011: 2.30-3.30pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2009) Trinity. Tottenham Leisure Centre, London. Commissioned by Noviha UK in celebrating the Diasporic version of the Anlo’s Hogbetsotso festival (Saturday, 5th September, 2009: 6.00-10.00pm).
  • Kuwor, S. K. (2008) Planet Steps. Swamore Technology College, Hampshire, UK. Commissioned by Wise Moves Dance Agency, Hampshire, UK for Diversity Day Celebration. (Thursday, 23rd October, 2008: 5.30-6.30pm).