Reconstructing Dislocated Cultural Memories

This research explores how performances, particularly songs, dance, cultural games and other participatory art forms can be harnessed as tools for cultural memory reconstruction, and social transformation in conflict-affected communities, particularly amongst children. Using the case of Northern Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgency, the study examines how dislocated cultural memories among displaced children and communities can be reconstructed through community-based performances. Drawing from theories of cultural sustainability, performance studies, and memory studies, the research highlights how performance spaces become sites of healing, dialogue, and identity reconstruction. It also underscores the potentials of co-creative initiatives and participatory arts to bridge generational gaps, promote indigenous knowledge, and foster resilience in the face of conflict-driven and forceful dislocation.

The study contributes to scholarship by demonstrating that artistic and cultural practices are not only aesthetic expressions but also critical interventions in post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding. It argues for integrating cultural performance into education, psychosocial support, and heritage-related initiatives, positioning community video and related arts as essential in shaping individual and collective memory, cultural continuity, and sustainable peace.