Beta Sigma - Southern University National Step Show
Champions!!!!! (2002)
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases seven YouTube videos of stepping performances by members of Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. These YouTube video performances are from 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2019, & 2024.
The content of these videos are presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
I'm particularly interested in showing the ways that stepping has changed or remained the same in this chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. I am also interested in documenting that body patting (body percussion) is an important element of these stepping performances.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all past and present members of the Beta Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcased videos and thanks to all the publisher of these videos on YouTube.
**** GENERAL INFORMATION From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_University "Southern University and A&M College (Southern
University, Southern, SUBR or SU) is a public historically black land-grant
university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. It is the largest
historically black college or university (HBCU) in Louisiana..."...
**** From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Phi_Alpha "Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest intercollegiate historically African American fraternity. It was initially a literary and social studies club organized in the 1905–1906 school year at Cornell University but later evolved into a fraternity with a founding date of December 4, 1906"... -snip- Click the Alpha Phi Alpha tag below for more pancocojams posts about this fraternity.
"CHAPTER OF THE YEAR" a total 4 times. 1956, 1959, 1983, and 1986.
[...]
The
history and legacy of the 61st chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and one of the oldest
chapters in the state of Louisiana is one that begins with the hard work and
intense drive of the charter members.
The interested men of Southern University, at that time, had many
hurdles to overcome in order to bring Alpha Phi Alpha to the deeply racist
south, but more importantly, to the deepest and most racist state in the
south. During that time the granting of
charters was a complicated process...
This is why the introduction of Beta Sigma chapter to Southern University was so important, not
only to Alpha Phi Alpha, but to the campus of Southern University. It showed the nation that Southern was not
only one of the premier colleges in the south, but in the nation and a bastion
of black academia.
These 10 visionary young men were:
James P. Christy
George A. Davis
John D. Davis
Henry A. Dumouil
Charles C. Guthrie
James S. Peters (last living charter member)
Othneil R. Thompson
Hugh J. Thornton
Edgar T. Thornton
Earl L. Walters
On December 11, 1936, in a ceremony conducted by Brother
H.B. Evans, the hard work paid off and their dreams came to be when these men
chartered the Beta Sigma chapter at Southern University."...
**** ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS Except for showcase video #1, these videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date, with the oldest videos given first. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Homecoming 2012 Greek
Show
Human Jukebox Media, Oct 13, 2012
Southern University Homecoming 2012 Greek Show. Sorority's
First Place Deltas, Second Place AKA's. Fraternity's First Place Alpha's,
Second Place Kappa's
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Alpha Phi Alpha | Beta Sigma Chapter | Yard Show Fall 2019
Marvin Price, Oct 23, 2019
Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 - Alpha Phi Alpha | Beta Sigma Chapter | Homecoming Step Show
2024
Great hambone technique from Archie Shepp's drummer Steve
McCraven.
Recorded in Tunisia at the Tabarka International Jazz
Festival.
video: Stephen Smith
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents seven examples of body percussion in various African American performing arts.
"Body percussion" is also referred to as "body patting", pattin juba", hambone, or "doing hambone).
In no particular categorical order, these examples are from singing, drill team routines, historically African American Greek letter fraternity and sorority stepping, stomp and shake cheerleading routines, dancing, and strutting down a Jennifer Hudson Show Spirit Tunnel.
The Addendum to this post showcases a YouTube video of doing body patting while they sing and dance.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
The overarching purpose of this post and all pancocojams post is to encourage people to recognize, respect, acknowledge, study, appreciate, promote, and celebrate the origins, evolution, and current practices of African American and of other Black cultures around the world.
In no way are these posts meant to suggest that we (Black people) should prohibit non-Black people or people of other Black communities besides the originators of specific cultural practices from respectfully and knowledgeably learn about and/or participate in these cultural practices.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these YouTube videos and thanks to all the videographers and publishers of these videos on YouTube. -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/pattin-juba-hambone-and-bo-diddley-beat.html for a closely related 2011 pancocojams post with the title "Pattin Juba, Hambone, And The Bo Diddley Beat".
**** ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
With the exception of Showcase video #1, these YouTube videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - 1st Place Winners for Chicago Sprite Step Off - Alpha Phi
Alpha (Central State University)
Gowhere Hip Hop, Jan 30, 2010
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Babynetts & Electronetts @ Black Festival 1994
SeattleDrillTeamHistory Jul 18, 2013
Babynetts & Electronetts Drill Team
@ Black Community Festival ( Central District Area)
Seattle, WA, July 1994
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 -Cheer Phi Smoov's "Let's Go, Broncos"
Christopher Blacksher, Oct 4, 2015
Fayetteville State University's own cheerleading squad
performs their signature and most poplar cheer during the FSU vs Lincoln
University of Pennsylvania football game on October 3, 2015.
Whip my hair by Jaiya
-snip- This is a video of my then almost three year old granddaughter Jaiya Hughes dancing to Willow Smith's 2019 record "Whip My Hair" during the seventh Powell-Hughes family lip-synch battle party.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 -when the band forgets to show up
Jason Fieler, May 24, 2024
Bobby McFerrin performing "Drive". Original
video: • Bobby McFerrin - Drive (Live
from Mon...
Notes: I only notated the actual sung notes instead of
things like breaths and the body percussion. Also, in the section toward the
end with the super low stuff, those notes are just the fundamentals but it also
sounds an octave higher, as is true for the double stops he's singing. -snip- This video includes the music score.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 -đŽNATURI NAUGHTON AT
JENNIFER HUDSON SPIRIT TUNNEL ❤️#naturinaughton #jenniferhudson
#dance
@Madmedianews27, Jan 5, 2025
**** ADDENDUM - YouTube Video
Traditional Jola dancing. Video 1. July 2006
Ulf JĂ€gfors, Sep 29, 2006
This video shows traditional Jola body patting and dances
by girls from Mlomp, Casamance region, Southern Senegal. It was recorded at The
Akonting Center for Senegambian folkmusic, Mandinari, Gambia July 2006 -snip- The Jola are an ethnic group in Southern Senegal, West Africa.
This pancocojams posts showcases various body patting styles in stepping routines of the four historically Black Greek letter sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (PHNC). That governing body of historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororites is informally known as the Divine Nine.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all past and present member of historically Black Greek letter sororities and those who are featured in these videos. Also, thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
These embedded videos are presented in order of the organization's founding date, with the organization with the earliest founding date presented first.
This pancocojams post showcases five YouTube videos focus on the performance of body patting (pattin Juba) in stepping routines of historially Black Greek letter fraternities.
These five fraternities are members of the National Pan Hellenic Council along with four historically Black Greek letter sororities. Those organizations ae informally known as "The Divine Nine". Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Councilfor information about the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
These videos are given in order of the organization's founding dates with the organization with the earliest date given first..
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
**** VIDEO #2:VIDEO #2: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
2018 NC A&T Homecoming Step Show: Alpha Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
The Erick Wheeler, November 4, 2018
**** VIDEO #3: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
DeltaKappaQues, Dec. 8, 2010
Delta Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
(@DeltaKappaQues) 2010 / 2011 Homecoming Step Show using an Arnold
Schwarzenegger Terminator theme, hopping, stepping and singing with the Zeta
Theta chapter of Georgia State and the Pi Delta Delta Chapter of Emory in
Atlanta Georgia (ATL GA)
**** VIDEO #4:- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
**** VIDEO #5 - Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta @ Howard University Homecoming Step Show 2011
Hu Reaction, Oct 24, 2011
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. (Alpha Rho Chapter) performed
at the 2011 Howard Homecoming Step Show
This pancocojams post presents a 2020 harmonizing rendition of "Bring Me Little Water Silvy". This tik tok clip and other were inspired by (and which includes) a short 2020 clip of n James Charles, a young White American man, singing that song while seated on a street curb.
This post also includes a video of a high school choir performing body patting while singing this song.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube. -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/leadbellys-sound-file-and-sweet-honey.html for the closely related 2021 pancocjams post entitled "Leadbelly's sound file And Sweet Honey In The Rock's video of "Bring Me Little Water Sylvie" (with lyrics)".
****
VIDEO #2
Los Angeles Master Chorale
1,000 high school students participate in the Los Angeles Master Chorale's 28th Annual High School Choir Festival. Composer/singer/guest artist Moira Smiley leads the students for a performance of her "Bring Me Little Water, Silvy" at Walt Disney Concert Hall -snip- A number of YouTube videos inaccurately attribute the song "Bring Me A Little Water, Silvy" to White American Moira Smiley.
"Bring Me Little Water, Silvy" is an African American folk song. The composer of "Bring Me Little Water, Silvy" is unknown and that song's earliest recording was in 1936 by African American Huddie Ledbetter (Leadbelly).
Moira Smiley is credited with starting the custom of performing body patting while singing "Bring Me Little Water, Silvy". The earliest video that I have found of Moira Smiley and choir members doing body patting with this song is from 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkHGhGpaW5k&ab_channel=MoiraSmiley Bring Me Little Water, Silvy (teaching demo)
Moira Smiley, Mar
6, 2009
Moira's arrangement of Huddie Ledbetter's great song,
performed by VOCO.
original body percussion by Evie Ladin -snip- An older term for "body patting" is "Pattin Juba" and doing "Hambone". These body patting customs originated in West Africa. Clickhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71RyGbKv0vQ&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=UlfJ%C3%A4gfors for a 2006 YouTube video of Jola (ethnic group) girls performingtraditional Jola body patting and dances in Mlomp, Casamance region, Southern Senegal (West Africa).
Body patting is most closely associated with African Americans and lives on in many of the steppin(g) routines of historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/body-patting-in-historically-black.html for a pancocojams post entitled "Body Patting In Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities Stepping Routines".
This pancocojams post presents information and comments about the children's song "Zimbole" and showcases every example of this song that I've found on YouTube as of this date.
****
The content of this post is presented for cultural, educational, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and all those who published these videos on YouTube.
A clue to this song's introduction to the world-if not to its original composition- is found in this statement from that same above mentioned video. "Join this enthusiastic song and dance the Zimbole-Choreo! Clap your hands! Produced by Johnny Lamprecht."
It's possible that Johnny Lamprecht or Johnny Lamprecht & Trommelzauber could have based this "soccer dance song" on an authentic African song. But it's also possible-and I think more likely, that he or they came up with this song using a real African word, or an African sounding word.
In the above mentioned 2010 video of "Zimbole", one commenter wrote that the song was from the Zulu people of South Africa. Also, several people in that discussion thread wrote (or repeated what was previously written in that discussion thread) that "zimbole" means "peace". I've seen that definition for "zimbole" elsewhere online pertaining to this children's song. However, the word "zimbole" isn't found in an online list of words meaning "peace" in languages spoken in South Africa.*
Even before I found information about the song "Zimbole" in that 2009 German album, I wondered if "Zimbole" was a newly composed song that is designed to "sound African". Alternatively, the versions of "Zimbole" that are found in videos below could have been contemporary, westernized adaptations of a traditional African song. However, I think this is less likely. I had my doubts about the African provenance of this song in part because shouting "Hey!!" (or "Yeah!!") at the end of the song and sometimes shouting "Yeah!!) in the beginning of the song appear to me to be Western elements. Also, it seems to me that the stomping feet, knee patting, and body patting while performing this song could have come from the African American patting Juba (Hambone/body patting) tradition.
It also occurs to me that the word "zimbaleo" (that is found in that song and is pronounced "zimbalayo") sounds a lot like the word "Tingalayo", the title of a Caribbean children's song. Is this a coincidence or was it done on purpose?
I like the song "Zimbole". I like the fact that the song is uptempo and I like the different body movements that children can do while singing this song. I think that young children who would be introduced to this song would really enjoy it.
I believe "Zimbole" could be a great addition to the repertoire of songs which introduce children to various cultures around the world. If this song is truly from Africa, I hope that someone would identify which African nation and ethnic group it is from. If a specific African provenance can't be identified for this song because the song was actually composed by a non-African, then people should clearly state that.
Children should be taught the truth. They shouldn't be told that a song is "African" without being told where in Africa that song comes from. And if you don't know where, then say that. Otherwise, children may consciously or unconsciously assume that there is only one African country, and only one African language, and only one way that way that African people look, and dress, and speak. All Africans don't look alike or dress alike or speak the same languages.
If "Zimbole" or any other song was recently composed, then it's not traditional. If you are teaching "Zimbole" or any other song to your students and learn that that song was recently written "in an African style" by a German, or an American or any other non-African, then you should share that information with your students. Such a song could still serve as introduction to learning REAL facts about African nations and African cultures within those nations. And if that song was recently written by an African and is only based on a traditional song from a particular African ethnic group, then it's not really a traditional African song.
Please learn this wonderful song from Africa
and sing with the Oakland Symphony at the
Young People’s Concerts in October.
-snip-
The lyrics given here are the same throughout all the versions that I've found online- although some versions begin with the children shouting "Yeah!!" and other don't. Also, at the end of each iteration of the song, in some versions the children shout "Hey!!" and in other versions the children shout "Yeah". The movements that are done for the song may also change with chest patting (or slapping) being done instead of knee patting or hand clapping.
Also, at .07 a girl is picking in her nose. So you might choose to show this video to children after that time mark to avoid children snickering or making gross out sounds.
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion threads (with numbers added for referencing purposes only.)
Andrea Moon, 2012
"Can you give me the lyrics please??? I love this song and want to teach it to my students next year. thanks in advance.
Andrea"
**
REPLY
3. Svenja Carlson, 2014
"+Andrea Moon the lyrics are posted by Anto Sanz... the second part goes Zimba-lay-o Zimba-lay-o (Zimboleo' is how he wrote it.) Zimbole' Zimbole'. Hope this helps"
-snip-
The comment by Anto Sanz is no longer found in that discussion thread.
**
4. CHRISTINE DEWEY, 2014
"I was wondering what Zimbole means and also I have students from all parts of Africa would this be a folk song they would know. Somalia, Sudan, Burkino Fasco, liberia, Tanzania, Ethiopia?"
**
5.Lexie B, 2014
"My school Ways is singing this song for internattional day 2"
**
6. Cassandra Dunnings, 2014
"I am trying to find the translation of The word the words of this song. Please share with me the English translation so I can share it with my students. "
**
REPLY
7. Lexymolina123 Musically, 2016
"It means peace:)"
**
REPLY
8. Azizi Powell, 2018
"Lexymolina123 Musically:. I've read the comments from Makayla Osborne (found below*) that "zimbole'" is a Zulu (South African) song. If this is true, I don't think that " zimbole'" means "peace". Most online sources give "ukuthula" as the Zulu word for peace. Other Zulu words for "peace" that I've found are "ukuthula", "uxolo", "nokuthula", "ngokuthula", and "kuthula".
According to Google translate, the Zulu meaning for the word "zimbole" is "sign up". If that's correct, I suppose "sign up" may refer to "join". If "Zimbole'" is really a traditional African song (and I'm not sure that it is), and if it's really a Zulu song, maybe it referred to "joining" the army.
I'd love to find out more information about this song and its provenance (where it came from and what was the earliest date it was sung."
*In this YouTube comment I wrote "found above" since Makayla Osborne's comments were published above the comment that I responded to.
UPDATE: June 4, 2018: Read the comment from Mama Lisa's blog in this pancocojams discussion thread from a South African woman who corrects the information that "zimbole" means "peace" in Zulu.
By the way, it may be a coincidence but it occurs to me that the word "zimboleo" which is pronounced zimbolayo is very close in pronunciation to the word "Tingalayo" -which is the title of a Caribbean children's song.
I wonder if"Zimbole" is really an authentic African song or is it a nice contemporary percussive song that someone composed and marketed as an African folk song?."
-snip-
I wrote this before I looked up information about Johnny Lamprecht who was mentioned in this video's summary. Makayla Osborne's comments are actually found below (in this selected comments' hronological order format).
**
10. Makayla Osborne, 2017
"I know what zimbole` is its zulu and zulu I to resons .1.a member of the south African people traditionally living mainly in KWAZULU--Natal province.the Zulu fromed a powerful military empire in southern Africa during the 19th century before being defeated in a series of engagements with afrikaner and british Steelers." 2.the bantu language of the Zulus related,to Xhosa and spoken by over 9 Million people.it is one of the official language of south Africa. adjectives: relating to Zulus or their language. 1only"
-snip-
Makayla Osborne initially wrote “fula’ and then corrected her comment saying that she meant “Zulu”.
**
11. Makayla Osborne, 2017
"I know this song"
**
REPLY
12 . Makayla Osborne
"its a south African song"
****
Example #2: Zimbole - Vorschulchor-Musikschule Klaus Neuhaus-Klangvokal Festival 2012
MusikschuleNeuhaus
Published on Jun 27, 2012
-snip-
German to English translation of Vorschulchor-Musikschule Klaus Neuhaus-Klangvokal = Preschool choir music school
****
Example #3: Zimbole
hinnerk03, Published on Sep 14, 2014
Ibo (Ibrahima Ndiaye) im MĂ€rz 2014 in der Grundschule Sandhorst
-snip-
As a point of information, two African nations where the last name "Ndiaye" is usually found are Senegal and Mali.
****
Example #4: p3 zimbole
Escola Pau Casals, Published on Apr 12, 2016
****
Example #5: Zimbole by ~Visual Musical Minds~
Visual Musical Minds, Published on Aug 24, 2016
-snip-
The movements suggested in this video are:
3 leg pats
3 hand claps
3 chest slaps
[followed by children shouting Hey!!]
****
Example #6: zimbole
Escola Sant Jordi, Published on Oct 26, 2016
****
Example #7: ZIMBOLE - LEAD INDIA SCHOOL - ISA ACTIVITY - AFRICAN FOLK DANCE
-
Challa Raghunath Reddy, Published on Feb 28, 2017
African folk song ZIMBOLE performed by little Lead Indians as a part of British Council's ISA Activity - WORLD OF FOLK TALES
-snip-
This song begins at .059 with the children yelling Yeah!
This pancocojams post presents four videos of the Liberian folk song "Banuwa" ("Don't Cry"). This song appears to be part of the repertoire for a number of music classes in schools throughout the world.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of this song. Thanks also to the transcriber of these featured lyrics, the vocalists & musicians who are featured in the videos, and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
LYRICS: BANUWA
From wilcokloosterman, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMe5EFqeHis, [given as Example #1 below], 2011
"Banuwa is a Liberian folk song used as a love song, lullaby, or even a processional. Here is the original text and translation:
Banuwa, Banuwa,
Banuwa yo
A la no
nehnio la no
Nehnia la no
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Don't cry, Don't Cry,
pretty little girl don't cry.
Your father off at the village
your mothers out for a while,
your brothers down by the river.
No need to sit and cry."
-snip-
This comment is reformatted for this post. Two other commenters wrote the same or similar lyrics for this song.
Clearly, these lyrics in a Liberian traditional language aren't the complete lyrics for the English translation.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated video presented first.
Example #1: Banuwa
mananachorus, Uploaded on Feb 5, 2007
****
Example #2: {Ugandan] African choir sings banuwa
Nico van den Berge Uploaded on Jun 1, 2009
...www.zendeling.wordpress.com
One by one the choir members appear from their seat and walk to the stage in front. The choir of the African Bible University in Uganda sings Banuwa during the gradution ceremony of 2009. The Mzungu in the choir is my wife Inge. Does anybody know what the word Banuwa means? (we don't) nvandenberge@cs.com
-snip-
"Mzungu" = colloquial Swahili for White person
Here's what this video's publisher wrote in response to the question is this the original version of this song:
"
Nico van den Berge, 2010
"@jesst666 Well, uh, don't know if this is THE original version. We tried to have it as original as possible, but who on earth knows the original version of a folk song like this?"
****
Example #3: BANUWA.MPG
Charles Hiram RomĂŁo Bruno, Uploaded on Feb 14, 2011
MĂSICA REALIZADA NA CAPACITAĂĂO CORAL DE PROFESSORES DO PROJETO GURI PELA "TI" SANDRA LIMA
-snip-
Portuguese to English partial translation - music from chorale class for student teachers
-snip-
Notice the chest body patting alternating with individual hand claps, and thigh slaps that the choir does for percussive accompaniment for their singing.
****
Example #4: Banuwa Yo
Various Artists - Topic; Published on May 30, 2015
Provided to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Banuwa Yo · The Song Swappers and Pete Seeger
Folk Songs of Four Continents
℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1955 Folkways Records
-snip-
Update: January 2, 2019- This video replaces one that was originally embedded in this post but is no longer available.
It's likely that this 1955 Folkways record is the one that introduced this Liberian, West African song to the USA, if not also to other "Western" nations.
This post presents general informaton about South African gumboot dancing (Isicathulo) and a 2001 review of a stage show entitled Gumboots. The international tour of that show debuted in in 1999 and was directed by Zenzi Mbuli and starred the Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto. Two videos of Gumboots are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of the early gumboot dancers. Thanks to all those associated with the Gumboot show that is showcased in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN GUMBOOT DANCING
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumboot_dance
"The gumboot dance (or Isicathulo[1]) is an African dance that is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots. In South Africa these are more commonly called gumboots....
Gumboot dancers are commonly sighted on the streets and plazas of tourist areas in South Africa, such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town... The dance likely originated among South African gold miners,[4] and especially in their tough working conditions—including poor lighting and dampness. Many of the steps and routines are parodies of the officers and guards who controlled the mines and workers' barracks. Like other forms of African dance, Gumboot utilizes the concepts of polyrhythm and total body articulation, drawing from the cultural dances of the African workers that manned the mines.[5] It is a percussive dance made by idiophones or autophones (objects of the everyday life vibrating by themselves), and is similar in execution and style to forms of "Stepping" done by African-American fraternities and sororities"...
****
From http://www.capetownmagazine.com/whats-the-deal-with/gumboot-dancing/125_22_17289 "...Gumboot Dancing?..." By John Scharges
"A Humble beginning
Gumboot (also known as Wellington boot) dancing originates in the gold mines of South Africa, at the height of the oppressive apartheid pass laws. Due to the extremely poor conditions, mine managers saw the easiest solution to be the outfitting of workers with a uniform consisting of no shirt; a bandana to keep the sweat off the brow, and in order to combat the damp – Gumboots.
Workers were often not allowed to communicate with one another, which led to them developing their own sort of Morse code through slapping their gumboot covered feet with their hands. With little or no other freedoms allowed to them, it was not long before the workers developed this into the full fledged expressive art of Gumboot Dancing.
The Humble Dance
Like many African dances, the Gumboot dancer articulates his whole body in performing the moves, often in syncopation with the other members of one’s group. A rhythmical, percussive, almost... ‘stomp’ is the end result – nowadays bells are often attached to the boots for added impact. ..
The songs that accompanied the flurried frenetic adaption’s of traditional dances (traditional dances, as with traditional dress, were outlawed) were sung in the workers’ native languages and spoke of the trials present in their work life. Some of the moves were even developed in mock imitation of the way the mine operators themselves moved. Contemporary gumboot dancing has more varied themes, but follow similar paths, if only due to origin."...
****
REVIEWS OF GUMBOOT!
From http://www.stage-door.org/reviews/misc2001a.htm
"Gumboots
an SFX Back Row Presentation, Pantages Theatre, Toronto, March 6-18, 2001.
A Stage Door Guest Review by Christopher Hoile
...The show, created by director Zenzi Mbuli and the Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto, highlights South African songs and the unusual dance form that developed among black miners in that country. Rather than pumping out the standing water in the gold mines miles below the surface, the mine owners found it cheaper simply to issue the miners with gumboots. Working in the darkness, the miners, sent to the Johannesburg area from their native villages, developed a way of communicating with each other by a system of slaps on their boots. In their "free" time, they entertained each other with dances in these boots where this slapping and the jingling of the chain rings added to the rhythm. To these rhythms are added the beautiful harmonies of South African song.
The general structure Mbuli has given the show is a progress from the simple to the complex. It starts with nothing visible on stage but two Wellies in a pool of light. Then six men enter in the back of the auditorium and begin an a capella song. By the end of the show the rhythm of gumboot stomping and slapping is augmented by two drummers and a keyboardist--first unseen, then visible--and by four more singer/dancers. The music is organized so as to show a typical day in the lives of mine workers in Johannesburg. It begins with a comic scene of the principal performer, Vincent Ncabashe, teaching the other miners to sing. They then move into songs about work and the "City of Gold" they are slaving for to a long central section about life after a day's work--thoughts of the women left behind, love songs, an hilarious courting song "I'm Too Sexy," party songs and drinking songs. Just when the tone seems to have lightened perhaps too much, there's a brilliantly evocative onomatopoetic song about the trains that bring the miners to Johannesburg, which in many ways encapsulates the whole show, moving, as it does, from a series of isolated rhythmic sounds to the integration of song and dance in the physical imitation of a train. This is succeeded by the most moving and equivocal scene of the show. Ncabashe tells us that "for every drop of water a man has lived and died in the mines." A water-filled square is opened in the floor and Ncabashe sings while dancing in it as water splashes with every step high in the air all over the stage. It amazingly transforms the joyful image from "Singin' in the Rain" into one of pain and tragedy.
The 90-minute show covers not just a typical day, but also the history of the mines themselves. The show includes the irony of a song lamenting the closing of the deadly mines because they have now become the displaced miners only source of income for their families. The conclusion is a prayer: "Keep me strong, give me long life, let me see the sunshine." We finally come to realize the truth of what Ncabashe had said near the beginning of the show, "The man who takes the gold took away the sun." The miners have been exiled not just from their villages but, in working two to three miles underground, also from the light. "Rishile" in the group's name means "sunrise."...
Gum Boots South African - Dance - Singers 15-11-99 Filmed at The Derngate Northampton.This dance group were on tour from South Africa for the first time. Camera Gary Mabee
