A Study of the Historical and Aesthetic Development of Obitun ‘Dance’

This work provides a scholarly literature on one of the many Nigerian dances that have not been documented. Obitun dance of the Ondo people comes to mind because of its usefulness to its practitioners from the traditional to the contemporary times which had made it to grow from the traditional setting to National and international recognition. This study specifically documents the origin, development, functions and practice of Obitun ceremony/dance from the traditional times to what is obtainable in modern societies. This work thus concludes that what is referred to in our contemporary society as Obitun dance is a pure creation and product of the modern society, which is distinct in purpose, functions and performance from the Obitun ceremony of the traditional society.