IDEAL INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

In an era defined by globalization and digital innovation, traditional dance practices face numerous challenges, including cultural homogenization, reduced intergenerational transmission, and limited access to diverse cultural expressions. These issues hinder meaningful cultural exchange and threaten the preservation of dance as a living cultural form. However, traditional performance practices like the Okorosha masquerade dance of the Ohii community in southeastern Nigeria are undergoing significant transformation. Once confined to local ritual and seasonal celebration, the Okorosha is increasingly visible on digital platforms, reaching new audiences and sparking intercultural engagement. This study explores how the Okorosha masquerade, with its deep roots in community, spirituality, and identity, functions as a medium for intercultural dialogue in a technologically connected world. Focusing on the Ohii community, the research adopts a qualitative approach combining ethnographic survey, digital performance analysis, and interviews with performers, choreographers, and cultural custodians. It examines how the dance is performed, transmitted, and interpreted within both local settings and global digital environments. Particular attention is given to how livestreaming, online archives, and social media shape contemporary understandings of Okorosha, influencing both its preservation and evolution. Findings reveal that while technology can lead to cultural appropriation, misrepresentation, distortion, or cultural meanings, it also creates opportunities for cultural preservation, diaspora engagement, and global appreciation of indigenous traditions. When thoughtfully applied, digital tools can amplify the voices of communities like Ohii and support respectful cultural exchange. The study calls for digital strategies that centre local agency, prioritize cultural context, and foster inclusive participation. In doing so, it positions Okorosha not only as a traditional ritual but as a living art form capable of bridging cultural divides and sparking dialogue across borders.

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