Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video from the Republic of the Congo (also known as DRC Brazzaville) whose formation is similar to European/United States longways set (contra dancing).
This post also showcases three videos of longways sets from the United States: The Virginia Reel, the 1957 "The Stroll" dance, and The Soul Train line.
In addition this pancocojams post presents information about longways dancing in Central Africa and in the United States.
Specific information about the Soul Train Line, a contemporary example of longways dancing tat is very familiar to African Americans, is also included in this pancocojams post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcase videos. Thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-video-of-traditional-single-file.html for a related pancocojams post entitled "A Video of A Traditional Single File, Circular Line Dance From The Republic Of The Congo & A Video Of A Contemporary African American Single File Circular Line Dance"
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are given in no particular order.
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only
Click the liinks below each video to read comments from that video's discussion thread.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 - Tala Kwé Wa Tuka (Official Music Video) | Kiazi Malonga
Kiazi Malonga, Jun 19, 2024 BRAZZAVILLE
Filmed on location in Congo Brazzaville. Featuring Christian
“Mabanga” Boukaka.
Video by Domy Scram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvRwivWvaDo
Music- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXkTWehXFuI
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- Virginia Reel
Mormon Pioneer Dances, August 26, 2017
The Virginia Reel was the most popular dance amongst the Mormon pioneers who came across the plains to Utah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLEnf-6S_U
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3- American Bandstand 1957 & 1968 - The Stroll, The
Diamonds
YouCanDanceToit!, Feb 3, 2018
To celebrate AB's 11th anniversary, the kids in 1968 try to
do The Stroll to a clip of the kids in Philadelphia from 1957.
Airdate: Aug. 17, 1968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEGMm0Dgsbs
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Soul Train Line Dance to Earth Wind & Fire's - Mighty
Mighty
carwashlondon, Dec 22, 2009
Disco Dance Moves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5_oM8rU1jk
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ADDENDUM #1 - MY QUESTION AND AI OVERVIEW RESPONSE ABOUT INFORMATION ABOUT "LONGWAYS" DANCING IN AFRICA
Source #1- From AI Overview (in response to my question on August 29, 2026:
"What is longways dancing?"
AI Overview
"Longways folk dances are traditional group social dances
where two parallel lines of partners stand and face each other.
How Longways Dances Work
Formation: Dancers form two long lines. Traditionally, one
line is for men/leaders and the opposite line is for women/followers, with each
person standing directly across from their partner.-
Progression: Most longways dances include a
"progression". As the dance repeats, the top couple moves down to the
bottom of the set, while the other couples step up one place.
History and Origins
English Roots: These dances started as 17th-century English
Country Dances popularized by publishers like John Playford.
American Tradition: English colonists brought the style to
North America. It evolved into American contra dancing and square dancing.
Popular Examples
The Virginia Reel: A classic, high-energy colonial American
dance.”…
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The source that is cited for this overview is given as Source #1 immediately below.
Notice that this overview only gave information about longways sets/contra dancing that originated in Europe. African American dances such as the 1950s Stroll or the 1970s on Soul Train line that derived from the Stroll aren't mentioned. (I believe that The Soul Train line should be cited as a popular example of a longways set since in contemporary United States it is much more popular than The Virginia Reel.)
The lack of information about this dance format outside of Europe/North America leads to the inaccurate conclusion that Europe was the only place that longways dance forms originated (i.e. that White people were the only ones that created this dance format and therefore any dance that is done in this formatation is derived from European (White) dance.
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Source #2-https://www.histoiredebal.com/en/2024/12/31/longways-mode-demploi/
“Longways, reel, contra, anglaise, english country dance…
Are you lost?
..."What is a longways ?
The longways, English country dance or contra line is a
formation where the dancers form two lines facing each other. That type of
dance usually includes a progression, meaning that the couples will change
place.
Longways are associated with England in the collective imagination. You only have to watch an English historical film to realise this (Jane Austen adaptations, Poldark…). However, there are many English country dances that are not longways: circles, squares, lines and so on.
Longways can be found outside England, notably in the Walloon repertoire (Vieille Maclote); in 18th-century France, and so on.”…
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ADDENDUM #2 -INFORMATION ABOUT THE STROLL (1957 UNITED STATES SOCIAL DANCE)
From
"The Stroll was both a slow rock 'n' roll dance[1] and a song
that was popular in the late 1950s.[2]
Billboard first reported that "the Stroll" might herald a new dance craze similar to the "Big Apple" in December 1957.[3][4]
In the dance two lines of dancers, men on one side and women on the other, face each other, moving in place to the music. Each paired couple then steps out and does a more elaborate dance up and down between the rows of dancers.[5] Dick Clark noted the similarity of the dance to the Virginia reel.[6] It was first performed to "C. C. Rider" by Chuck Willis on American Bandstand. Link Wray's "Rumble" was also a popular tune for doing the stroll.
The Diamonds had a hit song entitled "The Stroll" in 1957.
When 1950s nostalgia came to the forefront in the 1970s, the Stroll saw renewed public awareness. It was used in the film American Graffiti (1973) during the scene at the high school dance and is mentioned in some of the lyrics in the musical Grease. Led Zeppelin's 1950s rock homage "Rock and Roll" mentions the Stroll.
The Stroll was an integral part of most episodes of the
dance TV series Soul Train, where host and creator Don Cornelius dubbed it the
"Soul Train Line".
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ADDENDUM #3 - INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOUL TRAIN TV SERIES AND THE SOUL TRAIN LINE
Source #1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Train
"Soul Train is an American musical variety television show.
After airing locally on WCIU-TV in Chicago, Illinois, for a year, the popular
series then aired nationally in syndication from October 2, 1971, to March 25,
2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by
R&B, soul, and hip hop artists. The series was created by Don Cornelius,
who also served as its first and longest-serving host and executive
producer.[1][2]
[...]
Soul Train line
There was also the popular "Soul Train Line" (a variant of the 1950s fad then known as The Stroll), in which all the dancers form two lines with a space in the middle for dancers to strut down and dance in consecutive order. Originally, this consisted of a couple—with men on one side and women on the other. In later years, men and women had their own individual lineups. Sometimes, new dance styles or moves were featured or introduced by particular dancers. In addition, there was an in-studio group of dancers who danced along to the music as it was being performed."...]
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