Spooring Rhizomatic genealogies: exploring the Nomadism of a South African Cape coloured, through Experimental Performance as Research and intermedial arts

Abstract

Intermediality emerges from the mutualistic interaction of various distinct artforms to create an integrated whole. It is a decolonial Performance approach which reclaims indigenous and hybrid cultural identities by merging traditional artforms with contemporary digital media practices (Kattenbelt, 2010). In this research, it was used as a tool through which coloured people experimented and explicated their vacillating identities. The coloured population of South Africa developed from a long history of migrations and displacements. As such, their history can be seen as Nomadic. Nomads move often to secure food and resources. Migrants do the same but stay for extended periods and move less frequently. To emphasise movement and progress, this research used the word Nomadism. Spoor are the tracks left behind by animals, they can be disrupted easily. To follow the metaphorical coloured spoor, as fieldwork, I travelled to Cape Town to record coloured participants in conversation about their perceptions of colouredness. 13 essential themes were uncovered herein, including transformation, spiritual knowledge and community. I also learnt previously unfamiliar coloured histories. Upon returning to Johannesburg, I formulated a multimedia artist participant group to engage with the footage, attend rehearsals and perform in the resultant theatre piece, The Spooring. Fieldwork and Artist Participants alike expressed therapeutic effects during reflection. The work was grounded in Performance and Performance as Research, herein each participant was enrolled as a co-educator. The work took place within the Indigenous Paradigm. This allowed me to meet participants on common ground in conversation. Following Schechner’s definition of Performance, every participant was a performer. As such, through Intermedial Performance, participants were empowered to reassert their identities and express nuance and adaptability in coloured culture. This demonstrated a Rhizomatic approach which recognised identity as non-hierarchical and interconnected, resistant of singular definitions.