Groups & People

—Many people are involved in a successful makishi performance. This list includes the performers who embody the ancestral spirits, those who assist the makishi as they grace the living world, musicians to provide the musical accompaniment to their famous dances, audiences who interact with and witness the spirits, and the guardians of tradition who help raise the next generation of culture bearers. This section of the site introduces some of the most dedicated servants of Luvale (and related) culture, a group committed to the preservation and protection of makishi. The focus here is on cultural dance troupes and their respective leaders. I provide brief biographies of the group leaders, the history of their troupes, and outline their contributions to this site.

—I have chosen to focus on dance troupes and their leaders for several reasons. (1) These are the unsung heroes of makishi performance who work tirelessly – oftentimes behind the scenes – to bring this cultural heritage to life. They deserve recognition for their efforts. (2) Highlighting the work of these troupes and telling the stories of their leaders helps paint a picture of modern makishi spirit manifestation and cultural practice. (3) The people featured here are some of my main collaborators and have been instrumental to the creation of this site. Telling their stories helps inform readers where the information I present originates.

—The list of people who have taught me about Luvale culture and have helped my dissertation come to life, however, extends well beyond those featured here. For a more extensive list of collaborators, please consult the acknowledgments section of my DISSERTATION.