This article gives the broad outlines of our thesis entitled: The African theatre and its characteristics. Analysis of some defining criteria through the urban kikongophone theatre". We will give more information about the problem statement and the methodology used to write this thesis. This thesis is a contribution to the theorization and conceptualization of African aesthetics, more in particular African theatre." This article gives the broad outlines of our thesis entitled: The African theatre and its characteristics. Analysis of some defining criteria through the urban kikongophone theatre". We will give more information about the problem statement and the methodology used to write this thesis. This thesis is a contribution to the theorization and conceptualization of African aesthetics, more in particular African theatre."