Stepping (African-American)
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Stepping or step-dancing (a type of step dance) is a form of percussive dance in African-American culture. The performer's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Though stepping may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble military formations.
Stepping may also draw from elements of
The tradition of stepping is rooted within the competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the 1900s.[citation needed]
Stepping
Stepping finds its origins in a combination of military
History
Stepping gained its distinctive percussive style after the 1739 Stono Rebellion in South Carolina.[1] There, 20 enslaved people organized a rebellion near the banks of Stono River, banging on drums as they marched down the streets. The noise attracted a larger crowd of enslaved people who joined the revolution, and also of white colonists who killed most of the rebels.[2] In the aftermath, lawmakers outlawed drumming as well as the right to own one, in order to eliminate it as a source of communication between enslaved persons. Following the ban, the percussive dance form (known today as stepping) began to emerge as enslaved people replaced the drums with their bodies.[1][2]
In the early 1900s, the inception of black Greek organizations changed stepping into the style that many recognize today.
The most popular step routines have been passed down, and many of the songs are still used and housed in each fraternity's and sorority's history archives. Many times a step performance ends or incorporates the use of a chant that is associated with the respective organization. A chant is a song that is worded or has a rhythm specific to that organization. Each particular organization has their own.
Over time, more and more organizations have created moves to continue this growing passion; however, certain steps and moves originated and are considered signature to particular organizations. For example, "The Alpha Train" is a staple of Alpha Phi Alpha, "the Q Hop" is originally from Omega Psi Phi fraternity, "The Nut Cracker" is unique to Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, "The Dove" is unique to Zeta Phi Beta sorority, and "The Poodle Prance" is a signature move of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
In 2019, stepping advanced its movements with the creation of the World of Step, which is an international community focused on embracing the inclusivity of step step as defined as using your body as an instrument to create sound. Once established, it opened its doors in connecting Haka, Zapateo Peruano, Taino Culture, Irish Step Dance and much more. Now it serves as the largest competition in the world with operations in United States, Senegal and Belgium along with participation of over 1 million votes.[citation needed]
With the push of step becoming inclusive in the dance world, the copyright office has an official language of step called: Remo System, created under the company Art of Stepping which teaches step through a written language. In addition, in 2019 the 1st ever step mobile app to help support the language of step was launched on Android app.[citation needed]
Contests
The first nationally syndicated stepping contest, S.T.O.M.P., aired in 1992 was created by Frank Mercardo Valdes, produced by the World African Network and Vic Bulluck and choreographed by Vernon Jackson and Jimmy Hamilton of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Pi Kappa Chapter. Again they were also known as Step by Step Stomp aired 1992-1996.[citation needed]
World of Step International Competition, serves as the largest competition for step that includes the following countries: USA, Spain, Peru, Senegal, Korea, Kenya, Canada, Belgium with expansion in Italy and Ireland which was created by Jessica 'REMO' Saul, Founder of Art of Stepping and member of Omega Phi Beta sorority.[citation needed]
Stepping influence in other cultures
Stepping is a complex performance that melds folk traditions with popular culture and involves synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama. Developed by African American fraternities and sororities, it is now practiced worldwide.[4] For example, the tradition has been emulated by Latino fraternities and sororities such as
See also
- Drill team
- Get down
- Gumboot dance
- Stomp the Yard
- NALFO
- National Pan-Hellenic Council
- Step dance
- Showtime Steppers
- Dance in the United States
References
- ^ a b c "The Art of Stepping—and How It's Brought People Together for More Than a Century". Dance Spirit. 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ a b Sutherland, Claudia (19 September 2018). "Stono Rebellion (1739)". Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ "Greeks Unveil History of Strolling". February 11, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ISBN 0-252-02475-3.[page needed]
Bibliography
- Brown, Jamie. "Black Fraternities and Sororities and the History of Stepping." Yahoo! Contributor Network. Yahoo! Contributor Network, 10 Jan. 2008. Web. 3 May 2013
- Hughey, Matthew W. (2011). "Re-membering Black Greeks: Racial Memory and Identity in Stomp the Yard". Critical Sociology. 37 (1): 103–123. S2CID 144912844.
- Malone, Jacqui. Steppin on the Blues. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1996.
- Ross, Lawrence Jr. The Divine Nine - The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2001.