Six YouTube Videos Of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Probates

The Centaur Club, Nov 19, 2021

The Hard Knock Zeta Chi Chapter of IOTA Phi Theta Fraternity Inc presents its Fall 21 lime, I.S CUTTHROAT

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part V of this pancocojams series. This post showcases six videos of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. probates. 

I'm particularly interested in documenting whether one or more designated member/s of that fraternity holds a decorated staff or some other object and whether neophytes carry a shield during their probate.

However, these videos are given without any descriptions or any comments.  

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-custom-of-designated-members-of.html for Part I of a six part pancocojams series about the custom of designated members of historically Black Greek letter fraternities carrying a mace or holding a staff or some other object during their new members' probate.

That post presents my conclusions about this custom based on my informal online research (i.e. by watching a number of YouTube videos).

This post also includes online comments or information about this custom.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/videos-of-designated-members-of-alpha.html  for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases six videos of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. probates.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/six-youtube-videos-of-omega-psi-phi.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That post showcases six videos of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.probates.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/six-youtube-videos-of-kappa-alpha-psi.html for Part IV of this pancocojams series. That post showcases six videos of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. probates.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/04/six-youtube-videos-of-phi-beta-sigma.html for Part V of this pancocojams series. That post showcases six videos of Phi Beta SigmaFratrnity, Inc. probates

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are featured in these embedded videos as well as the producers and publishers of these videos.
-snip-
Documenting how historically Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority probates wouldn't be complete without information about the close contact processional styles that the neophytes have when they enter the probate performance area.

I believe that those close contact styles were/are influenced by the South African Venda's [ethnic population] Domba dance which is also known as "the python dance". Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/similarities-between-venda-python-dance_7.html for a 2013 pancocojams post entitled "Similarities Between The Venda (South Africa) Python Dance & Historically African American Greek Letter Sororities Probate Line Formations".

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS OF IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY INC. PROBATES  

These videos are given in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube. 

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1

This video is given at the top of this page.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Iota Phi Theta Theta Omicron Chapter Probate Spr. 2k17

Indestructible Films, Apr 18, 2017

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - The Zeta Chi Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Fall 2020 New Member Presentation

The Milas Touch, Aug 10, 2021

Georgia Southern University -

The Zeta Chi chapter of Iota Phit Theta Fraternity, Inc. Presents their Fall '20 Line: I.S Jailbreak

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - 2022 UMES Iota Phi Theta Probate

Reggie Nance, Apr 17, 2022

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Gamma Iota Chapter) | Spring '23 New Member Presentation
 

WavyyMb, Jul 13, 2023

The Spr '23 New Member Presentation of The Go Hard or Go Home, Gamma Iota Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Shot by @DreVinciWrks On Instagram

Dean - Quwayne Thompson, Spr '21 @__quee1x

AD - Mark Lovell, Spr '21 @_Mark.Lovez_

Follow the Neo On Instagram @wavyymb 

Shoutout to the brothers of Iota Phi Theta at Montclair State University!

@montclairiotas8901

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Howard University Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Alpha Tau Chapter Probate | Spring '24

All That Coin, Apr 6, 2024

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This concludes Part VI of this pancocojams series.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Members Of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Wearing One Or More Kente Cloth Stole/s With Their Graduation Cap & Gown

D'Andre Stewart, Jun 12, 2019

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. On May 5th, I received my Bachelors of Arts in Environmental & Sustainability. This is chapter performance we did after 2 other brothers and myself crossed the stage. I’ll continue to vlog it just won’t be college vlogs anymore for now!

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision: May 25, 2025

This pancocojams post showcases videos of  some members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. wearing one or more kente cloth stole/s with their graduation cap and gown.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who published these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about kente cloth graduation stoles. 

A pancocojams post on this subject has been published for each of the "Divine Nine" historically Black Greek letter organizations. Click the "kente cloth graduation stole" tag below or click the name of the historically Black Greek letter organization in the tags below to find the pancocojams post on this subject that showcases videos of that paticular Black Greek letter organization wearing kente graduation stoles and/or another type of kente stole during university graduations.

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THE BLACK AMERICAN CUSTOM OF WEARING KENTE CLOTH STOLE/S DURING UNIVERSITY GRADUATIONS
by Azizi Powell (latest revision May 25, 2025)

"BACKGROUND
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth [retrieved May 25, 2025]
"Kente refers to a Ghanaian textile made of hand-woven strips of silk and cotton.[1] Historically the fabric was worn in a toga-like fashion among the Asante, Akan and Ewe people. According to Asante oral tradition, it originated from Bonwire in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. In modern day Ghana, the wearing of kente cloth has become widespread to commemorate special occasions, and kente brands led by master weavers are in high demand.

Due to the popularity of kente cloth patterns, production of mass-produced prints with the kente patterns have become popular throughout West Africa, and by extension the whole of Africa. Globally, the print is used in the design of academic stoles in graduation ceremonies worn mostly by black people in the United States and Canada."...

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WHY KENTE CLOTH GRADUATION STOLES ARE WORN IN THE UNITED STATES
Since the 1970s in the United States, kente cloth has become a widely recognized short cut symbol of African heritage. Kente cloth is the most widely known example and often the only known example of traditional African fabric in the United States.

There are countless contemporary usages of kente cloth designs in the United States including as clothing fabric, book marks, and Kwanzaa ornaments. However, the most widely adopted use of kente cloth in the United States has been Black Americans choosing to wear one or more kente cloth stole/s with the standard cap and gown (robe) during graduation ceremonies. This custom is especially found among Black Americans who are graduating from a Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), although Black Americans graduating from a Predominately White Institution (PMI) may also choose to wear one or more kente cloth graduation stole/s. While wearing a kente cloth stole is a voluntary decision, it has become traditional to do so among those graduates of either a HBCU or a PMI (Predominately White Institutions) who are members of a historically Black Greek letter sorority or fraternity.*

The kente cloth stole represents the graduate's connection to and pride in their African heritage, and their pride in their accomplishment of graduating. If they are members of a historically Black Greek lettered fraternity or sorority, the favored stole is in the two colors of their organization and includes that fraternity's or sorority's three Greek letters.
-snip-
*Members of these organization that aren't Black may also follow that custom of wearing one or more kente cloth stole in their graduation ceremony.

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DESCRIPTIONS OF KENTE CLOTH GRADUATION STOLES IN THE UNITED STATES

"Kente cloth is a traditional fabric of the Akan people of Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo West Africa. The custom in the United States of African Americans wearing kente cloth as stoles during graduation (particularly from universities, but sometimes also from high school and from middle school) is an adaptation of the ways that kente was traditionally worn. Since 2012, it has become customary for many African Americans who are graduating from universities (colleges) to wear a particular design of kente cloth stoles that has a green, gold, red, and black color combination. Because those are the colors for the Pan-African flag, I refer to this kente graduation stole as the "pan-African kente graduation stole".

Instead of or in addition to wearing this green, gold, red, and black colored kente cloth stole, some members of historically Black Greek letter fraternities or sororities (regardless of their race or ethnicity) often choose to wear one or more customized kente cloth stole/s. A customized graduation stole has the two colors that represent that Greek letter organization and also includes that fraternity's or sorority's three Greek letters (representing that organization's name). Graduates who wear the pan-African kente graduation stole and/or their fraternity or sorority's customized kente stole may also wear other academic stoles that they have earned. based on my YouTube video searches, it doesn't appear to be a custom for  African American university students in general or for members of Black Greek letter organizations to wear pan-kente cloth stoles or customized kente cloth stoles at any other time other than during these graduation ceremonies and after graduation stepping or strolling performances.

Much less frequently, kente cloth stoles may be worn by Black graduates in the United States at other levels such as children graduating from elementary school or teenagers graduating from high school.

The green, gold, red, and black pan-African kente cloth graduation stole seems to be the standard kente graduation stole for African Americans as a whole since at least 2012. It appears to be customary for some members of historically Black Greek letter organizations who are graduating from a university to also wear a customized stole for their fraternity or sorority as well as any academic stole that they have earned in addition to or in place of that pan-African kente graduation stole. The customized fraternity or sorority kente graduation stoles have that organization's two colors, the organization's name, and its three Greek letters (such as Alpha Phi Alpha ΑΦΑ). 

In the admittedly informal YouTube searches that I've conducted, I haven't found any videos that show kente cloth stoles being worn by members of any  historically Black Greek letter organizations at any time other than for their university graduation ceremony and their stepping, strolling, hopping, singing performances that may spontaneously occur immediately after that formal graduation ceremony.

The earliest YouTube video that I've found that shows a member of a historically Black fraternity/sorority wearing a customized kente graduation stole is Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (video published August 10, 2010;  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-delta-sigma-theta.html.

Two other early examples of kente cloth graduation stoles are Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-phi-beta-sigma.html (video published in May 2011) and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (published in June 2011) https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/some-members-of-omega-psi-phi-fratrnity.html .

Prior to around 2010 or 2011 members of historically Black Greek letter organizations wore customized graduation stoles made out of some shiny materials [?] or made out of cloth. Graduation stoles made out of kente cloth began to be seen in those videos from 2010 and 2011 on, although those customized graduation stoles made from other fabrics appear to still be worn by some members of those historically Black Greek organizations (BGLOs).

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-color-combinations-for-kente-cloth.html  for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "How The Color Combinations For Kente Cloth Stoles Have Changed For African American Graduating Students." That post provides more descriptions of the pan-African kente cloth graduation stole.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/black-university-graduates-in-united.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Black Fraternity & Sorority Tradition Of Strolling During Or After A University Graduation Ceremony". That 2018 post provides information about the historically Black Greek letter organizations traditions of stepping and strolling.".

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ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These are the YouTube videos that I found which met my criteria for this pancocojams post (i.e. members of  Iota Phi Theta Fraternity wearing one or more kente cloth stole/s with their graduation cap and gown). 

These videos are given in chronological order (except video #1) and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Iota Phi Theta - Centaur Walk & UF Graduation Fall 2010

tonystark1963, May 6, 2010

My Fall 2010 graduation & another brother at the University of Florida (Gamma Omicron Chapter). We also did the Centaur Walk after.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: 

UAlbany Iotas, May 23, 2017

On behalf of the brothers of the Delta Rho "DeathRow" Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. , we would like to congratulate brothers Jarius Jemmott, Matthew Sierra, Richard Ogarro, Nathan Honegan, Cameron Crawley and Nicholas Reyes for graduating SUNY Albany with their Bachelor's Degrees. Keep paving the way brothers. OW OW!

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Hyperlinks To Pancocojams Posts That Are Specifically About Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents hyperlinks to all of the pancocojams posts as of this date that specifically showcase Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.  Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. was founded in 1963 at Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland). 

Links to additional specific posts about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. will be added to this post when they are published on this pancocojams blog. 

This post also presents information about Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. from that organization's official website.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and thanks to all past and present members of that historically Black Greek letter organization. 
-snip-
Additional information, videos, and chant/songs examples of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. can be found in general pancocojams posts about historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that are members of Divine Nine. Click the tags found below for links to those pancocojams posts.  

Pancocojams posts that showcase each of the Divine Nine organizations will be published ASAP. Those links will be included in the general "African American fraternities and sororities" tag. 

Disclaimer: This tag isn't meant to imply that the Divine Nine organizations are the only Black fraternities and sororities.  

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INFORMATION ABOUT IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC..
From https://www.iotaphitheta.org/
"On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated ®, and established the following purpose: “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.”

Today, Iota Phi Theta® consists of over 250 chapters located in 40 States, the District of Columbia and the Republic of Korea. The scope of the organization extends throughout the nation, from California to New York; from Wyoming to Florida; and from Wisconsin to The Bahamas Islands."

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HYPERLINKS TO PANCOCOJAMS POSTS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Centaur Chant (Videos)

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur_3.html

January 3, 2013

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Black Power Themes In Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc, Probate (VSU's Evil Eta Chapter - Spring 2014)

https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/09/black-power-themes-in-iota-phi-theta.html 

September 17, 2017

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Black Power Themes In Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc, Probate (VSU's Evil Eta Chapter - Spring 2014)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video of the Black power themes in Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc, Probate (VSU's Evil Eta Chapter - Spring 2014). Included in this video are vintage clips of Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, the Black Panthers, and others.

Selected comments from video's discussion thread are also included in this post. I've also added brief explanatory notes for some of these comments.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks and congratulations to all those who are featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Iota Phi Theta - Evil Eta Chapter - Spring 2k14 Probate



TrojanNation1882 Published on Mar 25, 2014

The Evil Eta Chapter Presents...

The Freedom Riders aka The Refugees

The Evil Eta Chapter Presents...

The Freedom Riders aka The Refugees

1. Denzel Davis/Line Name - The Ghost Rider Alias - Geo-Dude
2. Maleik Pride/Line Name - The Activist Alias - Gravey -ite
3. Wanya Wilson/Line Name - Black Owt Alias - The Peacemaker
4. Darien Pope/Line Name - Colossus Alias - Thor
5. Bradford Bearden/Line Name - RhymeFest Alias - The Outcast
6. Devin Harrington/Line Name - Rhythm & Blues Alias - The Composer
7. Omega/Line Name - NoTAURius B.I.G Alias- The Longest Yard

Created by: The Trojan Introduction Program
Chief Videographer: Deon Tillman & Dominique Robinson
Chief Editor: Deon Tillman & Nigel France


***DISCLAIMER ***
THIS VIDEO AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE TROJANNATION1882 CHANNEL ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY. THE VIEWS AND IDEAS EXPRESSED COME FROM VSU STUDENTS AS A REFLECTION OF STUDENT LIFE AT VSU. PLEASE VISIT THE VSUOfficialChannel FOR NEWS & INFORMATION REGARDING VSU!
-snip-
VSU = Virginia State University

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SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only. All of these comments are from 2014.

My notes after some of these comments may include definitions from this online page: https://www.montclair.edu/student-development-campus-life/greek-life/glossary/ "Montclair State [New Jersey] Greek Life Glossary (hereafter given as "Montclair State Greek Glossary"

Here's a statement from that page:
"(Please note this is not an exhaustive list and is compiled from multiple sources. Not all terms are used by all groups/campuses.)"

-snip-
Here's the definition of "Probate" from that glossary:
"Probate/Coming Out Show" – A performance by newly inducted or soon to be inducted members. A way for
organizations to showcase the newest members of the organization"

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1. ABDUL SHARIF
"Inspiration. ...Thank you Eta Chapter. .OW OW "It Takes A Man""
-snip-
"Ow Ow" is the signature call for members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

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2. Gerald E Anderson Jr
"Once again my Evil Eta brothers make me proud to be an Iota and to be from Evil Eta. Ow Ow!!!!!"

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3. rontavius allen
"I see you Sandz
ACE Spr 2k14
Beta Theta Chapter
JCSU"
-snip-
Sandz" = Sands
from Montclair State Greek Glossary - "Sands - An NPHC term for members of your new member class or Greeks who became members the same semester. Comes from the phrase "cross the burning sands" which means to cross over (Become initiated) into full membership.

from Montclair State Greek Glossary- "NPHC - The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the 9 historically African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine."
-snip-
Note that there are other African American Greek letter (and non-Greek letter) university based fraternities and sororities besides the Divine Nine.

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4. newjeruz08
"Great job Fellas! Keep Building a Tradition and Not Resting Upon One" Dean Big Brother OwtSpoken! 6HFA11"

**
5. bama7boy
"Ow Ow to my neos!! Continue to uphold what it takes to be a Tru Theta Man.. 2HFa12 Decatholon"

from Montclair State Greek Glossary - "Neophyte - New member of Greek Letter organization; also called a ‘Neo’. This term is generally used by NPHC, NALFO, and NMGC organizations.

NALFO - "The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) is an umbrella council for 16 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Latino_Fraternal_Organizations

NMGC= "The National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) is an umbrella council for eleven multicultural fraternities and sororities (Greek Letter organizations) in universities in the United States. It was established in 1998." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Multicultural_Greek_Council

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6. Jennifer Odom
"Woooork!!! I miss my VSU! Shout out to the Tr3!!! EEE-OW!"
-snip-
"EE-OW" - a call that a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. uses to address members of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. The call combines the beginning of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. call ("EEE-Yip") with the end of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. call ("Ow Ow").

"EEE-Ow" is a combined sorority/fraternity call. This type of combination call are respectful greetings that acknowledge the family ties that exists across Black Greek Lettered Organizations (BGLOs). From what I've read online, it appears that combined calls are most often given by members of historically Black Greek lettered sororities to members of other historically Black Greek lettered fraternities. I don't know if members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities follow the same custom for members of historically Black Greek letter sororities, or if this custom is done for between two sororities, or two fraternities, or between BGLOs and other fraternal organizations.

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7. Court Lyn F.
"This Iota Chapter been popping for years! Congrats EEE-OW!!"
-snip-
"poppin" = African American Vernacular English term meaning "excelling"; "rising up", "exceeding expectations", [being] "hot"

**
8. keith oliver
"Way to set the standard. OW-OW Eta Chapter.
GCR-Alabama
Tuskegee University
3SPR12"

**
9. Allester Taylor
"OW-OW that was OWsome Brothers!!!! Congrats
#1 Spring 01
Delta Zeta Indiana State University"

**
10. mrtooauthentic24
"OW OW SANDZ.
1 DO 14."

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Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Centaur Chant (Videos)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post is Part II of a two part series on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s signature step walk & chant the "Centaur Walk". Part II provides seven video examples of the Centaur Walk.

Part I provides information about the Centaur Walk. Lyrics to two versions of the Centaur Walk song (chant) are also provided in that post. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur.html for Part I of this series.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, historical inspirational, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of the Centaur chant, and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. However, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those who are members or pledges of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant.

FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest video being presented first.)

Video #1: iota phi theta centaur walk: Morgan State



mayrock1977, Uploaded on Mar 18, 2007

the brothers of Iota Phi Theta doing that centaur walk

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Video #2: IOTA PHI THETA CENTAUR WALK



andreduce, Uploaded on Oct 3, 2008
[University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)

Transcription of chant [Azizi Powell, additions & corrections welcome.]

[Preface: "I Know A Place" song in which brothers are exhorted to “release their soul”]*

Group- Shi shi shi shi [sound approximation]
shi shi shi shi

Lead: I said my
frat brothers
Group -(Ole Ole)
I said my hard steppin brothers
(What in the hell do you want?)
I saida we’re about to do
(What are we about to do?)
I said ah Centaur Walk for you
(He said ah Centaur Walk for you)
It goes the bow
(the bow)
And the shield
(the shield)
Godd**n it the bow
(the bow)
And the shield
(the shield)

[continues with the "Centaur laugh"]

*I'm not sure if "I Know A Place" is the actual title for this Iota song. A text version of that song's lyrics is featured in Part I of this post.

The tune for this song is the same as that used for the fraternity/sorority song "All Of My Love (My Peace And Happiness" which is sung by multiple traditional Black Greek lettered organizations. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/fraternity-sorority-song-all-of-my-love.html for a pancocojams posts about that song.

The "streets are paved with gold" line from the "I Know A Place" song is an adaptation of the following lyrics from the African American Spiritual "Twelve Gates To The City": "Come and go to the city/Where the streets are paved with gold". "Brown & gold" in that fraternity song refers to the Iota's official colors.

I've also heard the line "I said my hard steppin brothers given as "I said my brown and gold brothers". There are probably other versions of that line.

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Video #3: Iota Phi Theta. Psi Chapter. Fall 2008 Probate



MissWise, Uploaded on Nov 12, 2008
I know a place...

MissWise, 2008
[Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland.]
-snip-
This video features the song "I Know A Place" & not the Centaur Chant itself. Read my comments above about this song.

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Video #4: Iota Centaur Walk VSU [Virginia State University]



georgearvan89, Uploaded on Mar 25, 2010
VSU -ETA
Spring 2k10
Is: speakerbox

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Video #5: Iota Phi Theta - Centaur Walk & UF Graduation Fall 2010



tonystark1963, Uploaded on May 6, 2010

My Fall 2010 graduation & another brother at the University of Florida (Gamma Omicron Chapter). We also did the Centaur Walk after.

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Video #6: IOTAS ON THE U OF M CAMPUS [University of Memphis]



Sedrick Askew, Published on Apr 2, 2012

CENTAUR WALKING IN MEMPHIS
-snip-
Transcription of a portion of the end of the chant:*
Lead: That bow, that bow, that big ole bow
Group: (That bow, that bow, that big ole bow)
That shield, that shield, that big ole shield
(That shield, that shield, that big ole shield)

[The chant continues with the "Centaur laugh" given in the same call & response pattern]
* transcribed by Azizi Powell, addition & corrections welcome.

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Video #7: Massive Centaur Walk During Iota's Super Regional Conference in Memphis



zPhiiilosophy, Published on Apr 5, 2012

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. setting OWT a huge center walk after the Kings of Memphis Stepshow during their Super Regional Conference in Memphis, TN

NOTES:
Notice that prior to starting the actual chant, one after another, the brothers who are stepping raise their clasped arms above their head, and -one after another-individual members ball their fists to their sides, make a crouching motion, jump up and down, and scream. My guess is that this is done in imitation of the Centaur.

Also, notice that in a number of these videos an Iota carries another Iota on his shoulder in imitation of the Centaur.

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Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. - Centaur Walk (Information/Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part I of a two part series on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s signature step walk & chant the "Centaur Walk".

Part I provides information about the Centaur Walk. Lyrics to two versions of the Centaur Walk song (chant) are also provided in this post.

Part II provides seven video examples of the Centaur Walk. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur_3.html for Part II of this series.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, historical inspirational, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. However, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those who are members or pledges of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant.

INFORMATION ABOUT IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iota_Phi_Theta
"Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) is a nationally incorporated, predominantly African-American collegiate fraternity. It was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) in Baltimore, Maryland . At present, it consists of over 70,000 members. There are currently around 300 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in over 40 US states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Japan and South Korea.

The fraternity holds membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization comprising nine (9) International Historically African-American Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities, and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)"
-snip-
From http://www.iotaphitheta.org/about/symbols-insignia
"THE OFFICIAL COLORS
The Official Colors of Iota Phi Theta are Charcoal Brown...and Gilded Gold....

THE CENTAUR
"Besides the Fraternity Shield, the next most readily identifying symbol of Iota Phi Theta is The Centaur. A Mythical beast with the head and torso of a man, and the body of a stallion, The Centaur is near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta and its mythology, characteristics, and legacy are a binding force within the Brotherhood. Additionally, Iota Phi Theta intakees are referred to as Centaurs. (Note: The Centaur can appear in Green, Brown, or Gold but must ALWAYS have Red eyes.)"

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTAUR WALK
From Elizabeth C. Fine: Soulstepping: African American Step Shows (Urbana & Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003; pps 61, 62)
"As stepping evolved. many of the nine Greek-letter societies developed distinctive and characteristic steps and chants known as “trade” or “signature” steps that embody the ethos or character of a group and are nationally known by all its chapters…Audiences instantly recognize [these signature steps] as “belonging” to a particular group. Different societies may refer to rivals in either a salutary or derogatory way by how they imitate these trade steps...

Members of Iota Phi Theta, the newest fraternity to be admitted to the NPHC, still recall the name of the person who invented their “Centaur Walk” and the year he did so. According to Dwayne Dixon, the “Centaur Walk” was invented in 1966 by Brother Robert Young at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Because the Centaur, after the shield, as one of Iota’s “most readily identifying symbol”, embodying the symbol through stepping is important. The Iota Web-page carries the information that the Centaur, a “mythical beast with the head and the torso of a man, and the body of a stallion,” is “near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta. The mythology, characteristics, and legacy of The Centaur are a binding force within the Brotherhood”. The Iota shield displays the image of a centaur, about to release an arrow from a bow. To evoke that image, the brothers mime pulling on a bow while they typically step three times to the left and three times to the right...
Even though trade steps are traditional, they change over time. When I asked [Iota Phi Theta member Dwayne Dixon] to provide a few verses of the "Centaur Walk" chant, he said it involves a call-and-response piece ("My brothers, what do you want?") and functions "like a framework, for other little mini-steps or breaks inside of it." Although "it has evolved", it is "a traditional step":

I say, my bro-thers....
-Yeah?
I say, Who's fly?
-I Phi!
I say my....Iota-Phi brothers...
I say we're going to do...
-What are we going to do?
I say the Norfolk Slide!
-He said the Norfolk Slide!

At this point the "Norfolk Slide", which is a kind of "break," is executed. These breaks are usually four or eight bars long, and at the completion of the break the "Centaur Walk" resumes. Other examples of these breaks are "The Old Time Sound", "The Scramble", "The Lookabout", "The Replace", and on and on. That's one of the nice things about the "Centaur Walk". Because of this structure, the basic framework retains the traditional aspects of the step and provides the links to the past. On the other hand, these breaks allow for creativity and keeping the step fresh and up to date."
-snip-
"Fly" is a mostly retired adjective from the mid 1980s African American vernacular English whose meaning is the same as or similar to "cool", "hip", "dapper", "in style" (i.e. someone or something that is up to date with the latest Black urban fashions, vernacular, and/or lifestyle/s").

AN EXAMPLE OF THE CENTAUR WALK SONG (CHANT)
From http:/www.potomaccentaurs.com/109/the-centaur-walk/

Video summary*:
"Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

Video was made possible by the Zulu Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated Hosted the 5th Annual Stroll Competition in Moore Gym.

Zulu Zeta Chapter is located in North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Greensboro, NC)

The Centaur Walk was created in 1966 by IOTA brother Robert Young in celebration of the Centaur, a binding symbol which unites all members of the fraternity.

Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

CENTAUR WALK SONG
(First part sung by 1st Brother on line. Number 1′s Song)

I know a place
Where the Centaurs Roam
And I know a place
Where the Centaurs call Home
And In that Place
The Streets are paved
In Brown and Gold
In Brown and Gold
And so I say
Release the Centaur
From Your Soul
From
Your
Soul….
(Sung by all brothers in unison)
I-O-T-A
P-H-I
T-H-E-T-A!!!
I Say
My Frat Brother
He Say
OLE! OLE!
I Say
My Brown and Gold Brothers
What in the H#$@
Do you want?
I Say
We’re Going to do…
What are We Going to Do?
I Say
that Centaur Walk for You
He Say
that Centaur Walk for You
It Goes
the Bow, the Bow
Nah, It Goes
the Shield, the Shield
God D#$* It,
it’s the Bow, the Bow
Nah, it’s
the Shield, the Shield

Break It Down (Centaur Laugh: Bruhahahaha!)

That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow
That Shield,
That Shield
That Big A*# Shield
That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow

*The video from which these lyrics were transcribed is no longer available on YouTube because the uploader's account was closed.

RELATED LINK
Click http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-and-sorority-chants for a page of my Cocojams website which features a number of text examples of fraternity and sorority chants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer of the Centaur Chant, and all the other brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Thanks also to those whose information & transcriptions I quoted in this post.

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Viewer comments are welcome.