AFGHAN TRADITIONAL DANCE RESEARCHER 

Angela Schöpke

 

     Angela Schöpke is researching the use of Afghan dance as a tool for conflict resolution and reconciliation in a formal research project sponsored by The George Washington University (GWU).  Her project is based on previous research she conducted two years ago in Northern Ireland that documented the effectiveness of an Irish government-sponsored dance program that helped reconcile religious and political factions during the “Irish Troubles.”            

 

     A formally trained dancer herself, Schöpke returned to the United States after completing her research fieldwork in Northern Ireland.  She soon became involved in a project with U.S. and Afghan youth using dance as an international community-building tool.   Based on her experiences in Northern Ireland, she began to wonder if dance and a similar approach also could help build national, ethnic and tribal unity in Afghanistan.

 

     The research question is fascinating.  Can an activity such as dancing, which has proven to be effective in Northern Ireland to reconcile conflicting groups, work similarly in Afghanistan?  .... (more)

 

Read Angela Schöpke's interview with Edward Zellem

"Afghan Dance Can Help Win the Peace"