Climate change cultural advocacy comes alive through dance and art at Womenhood School, using indigenous stories to drive urgent environmental action

The climate change cultural advocacy movement found powerful new expression as the Womenhood School of Health Science and Technology hosted its annual Cultural Dance Day under the theme “Communicating the Impacts of Climate Change Through Art and Dance.”

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Blending traditional art forms with urgent environmental messaging, the event offered a vibrant yet sobering reflection on how climate change is reshaping indigenous lives.

The focus was placed especially on women, whose connection to the land often places them on the front lines of environmental disruption.

“This is not just about celebration,” said Nurudeen Bello, the school’s Director and a representative of African Climate Reporters. “Dance is not just entertainment; it is a powerful form of storytelling and advocacy.”

Bello explained that this year’s edition took on a greater advocacy focus, encouraging participants to use indigenous dances and oral histories as tools for awareness.

According to him, the climate change cultural advocacy model can empower local voices that are frequently ignored in mainstream climate dialogue.

Traditional performances by students showcased the emotional and physical toll of rising temperatures, droughts, and environmental degradation on rural communities.

Attendees watched as each cultural routine narrated stories of environmental loss, resilience, and hope—bridging ancestral knowledge with contemporary environmental concerns.

“We invited students to showcase their cultural dances and raise awareness about how climate change is affecting indigenous communities, especially women in forested and rural areas,” Bello added.

The school’s Provost and Head of Environmental Studies, Hadi Abdullahi, noted that although Cultural Dance Day has long been a staple of the school calendar, this year’s focus on climate change cultural advocacy brought a fresh urgency to the event.

“This year, we used dance to highlight how climate change threatens not only the environment but also our cultural identities,” Abdullahi stated. “It’s a creative way to spark conversations and drive home the urgency of action.”

The event drew attention from scientists, environmentalists, and geologists affiliated with African Climate Reporters, who praised the innovative approach to climate education.

According to them, art provides a direct connection to communities and can help translate abstract scientific warnings into culturally relevant messages.

They further warned that climate change is no longer a distant phenomenon but a harsh and immediate threat driving mass displacement across Africa.

These disruptions, they explained, are affecting food systems, biodiversity, and the social cohesion of vulnerable communities.

One researcher noted that “prolonged droughts and deforestation are dismantling ecosystems that have supported indigenous livelihoods for centuries.”

Another expert stressed that integrating cultural elements into climate campaigns increases both awareness and participation at the grassroots level.

In a direct quote that resonated throughout the event, Bello said, “As we gather to celebrate culture, we must also remember our responsibility to protect these cultures and the ecosystems that sustain them.”

This edition of the Cultural Dance Day is being hailed as a success not only in showcasing diversity but in forging a new model of advocacy that combines identity, creativity, and environmental urgency.

Through this lens, the climate change cultural advocacy effort becomes a shared narrative of resilience and resistance.

As traditional beats filled the air and voices chanted songs passed down through generations, the message became clear: protecting the planet and preserving culture are inseparable.

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What began as a school event now stands as a stirring example of how creative platforms can energise a wider movement for climate justice and community empowerment.