4. Questionnarie- Space Description

1. Name and Location

  • What is the specific name of this spot where the performance happens?
  • Do the elders or the songs refer to this place by any other name? (e.g., a “forgotten” name or a ritual title?)
  • How would you describe the “address” of this space in relation to the village landmarks (the big tree, the river, the old gate)?
  • In your view, what kind of space is this? (A common square, a sacred boundary, or a temporary stage?)

2. Physical Description

  • Could you describe the ground here? Why do we perform on [mud/stone/sand]? Does the texture of the earth change how the dancers move?
  • If we look at the size of this area—is it meant to feel crowded and intense, or open and airy?
  • Is there a reason the performance faces [North/the Temple/the Sun]? What would happen if you turned the other way?

3. Ritual or Cultural Role

  • Is this space “special” all year round, or does it only become sacred the moment the drums start playing?
  • Are there times of the year when this space must remain silent or empty?
  • Are there invisible lines or “thresholds” here that people should not cross? Who is allowed to enter the innermost circle?

4. Performance Use

  • Does the performance stay rooted in one spot, or is it a journey (procession) through the space?
  • How does the audience fit into this space? Do they surround you, or is there a clear “front” and “back”?
  • How does the sound of the instruments change when they hit the walls or open air of this specific location?

5. Social Context

  • Who is the “guardian” of this ground? Who gives permission for the event to take place here?
  • Are there parts of this space that are reserved only for the performers or specific community members?
  • Does everyone in the village feel they have the same right to stand in this space during the festival?

6. Changes Over Time

  • If your grandfather were standing here today, what would he find most different about this place? (e.g., new concrete, fences, or lights?)
  • Has the “vibe” of the performance changed now that it happens on a [built stage/paved ground] instead of the natural earth?
  • Do people still respect the old boundaries of this space, or have they become blurred over the years?

7. Current Situation

  • How do you feel when you see the current state of this space? Is it being looked after as it should be?
  • Are there any new rules or modern developments (roads, buildings, noise) that make it harder to perform here?
  • What do you fear might happen to this performance space in the next twenty years?