I am a dancer in SA. Except I live in Cape Town. The couple in this video that came 1st. Now compete all around SA. At the SA championships they were titled Juvenile 2 (under 12) champions. They are amazing though I don't think they dance there anymore.
Curiously, the U.S. does not seem to have a designated national dance. For example, Argentina has the Tango, Germany the Polka, Brazil the Samba, Cuba the Salsa.
I believe Swing/Jive could be the national dance in the U.S. or Square Dancing.
Both are a fusion of African and European.
As to Sqaure Dancing it seems have originated from European Quadrilles, Minuets, etc, but is a more folksy version. The African influence involves the Caller, (person who calls out the steps.)(Just look it up.
Cuban and Dominican kids both black and white and in between learn how to Meringue, Salsa, Cha-Cha and Bachata. These are all partnered dances. Dances that have a fusion of African, Native and Spanish rhythms. The partnering is a European element. In the U.S. this style of dancing seems to have disapeared from the younger generation, unless their parents put them in structured dance class.
I feel U.S. urban black youth in the lower socio-economic bracket would benefit from ballroom/social dancing. Why? It is an activity that both young and old can participate in. Hip-Hop culture tends to cater to people 30 years old and below.
Back in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, U.S.black youth used to do skilled partner dance -Swing, Be-Bop etc. Unlike today-(Freaking/or just hanging onto each other doesn't count.They might as well be lying horizontal.)
this is a great alternative to keeping kids off the streets give them positive outlets for creativity.
However, as a researcher of anthropology, I must question their use of ballroom dancing. Most African tribes have native dances. Perhaps these could be adapted in some form to get the same results?
True, there are alt. to BRD, but like trad. dancing, these 'tribes'(?) are keen to learn new things like BRD. Soccer has become a prominent feature in daily SA life, so has a number of other activities which some might term Eurocentric. This is not partic. a bad thing. The evolution of dance in SA: you have trad. dance, swing (google Sophia Town), kwaito and the list goes on. On the most part, the youth in SA are not losing their cultural ID - no more than the youth in EU and the Americas.
Lesliejs why would you question the use of ballroom dancing? I really doubt ballroom dancing would somehow make them lose their cultural heritage-i.e. language, customs.
Besides what about the idea of cultural fusion? All the popular ballroom dances from the Americas are a fusion of W. African and European influences-Swing/Jive (U.S.A black community),Samba,(Brazil) Mambo, Slasa, Meringue Cuba)Tango(Argentina)
Lots of Asians in Asia and Western born Asians play classical Western music, yet they retain certain Asian customs, languages and whatever adaptation is useful for living in the modern world. I would think that people in other parts of the world would function in the same fashion.
Europeans who came to the Americas, retained only those adaptive stratagies that assisted in their material progress. Food,and ethnic holidays remained since those did not impede their assimilation.
@lesliejs I am a ballroom dancer like these kids. I am from Kwa Zulu Natal and like these kids dance in regional competitions. In South Africa competitive ballroom dancing is predominantly a black sport, and it is extremely popular. Sure, its not 'traditional' as you might think, but that does not mean it shouldn't be used. Traditional dance forms are taught, but there is no structure that allows these traditional dances to be danced at a competitive level.
THEY'RE TOO CUTE!!!!!!
lafemmefidele 1 year ago
I am a dancer in SA. Except I live in Cape Town. The couple in this video that came 1st. Now compete all around SA. At the SA championships they were titled Juvenile 2 (under 12) champions. They are amazing though I don't think they dance there anymore.
111SmileyPie111 2 years ago
A great discipline for these young kids....well done!
bobdavidwright 2 years ago
Curiously, the U.S. does not seem to have a designated national dance. For example, Argentina has the Tango, Germany the Polka, Brazil the Samba, Cuba the Salsa.
I believe Swing/Jive could be the national dance in the U.S. or Square Dancing.
Both are a fusion of African and European.
As to Sqaure Dancing it seems have originated from European Quadrilles, Minuets, etc, but is a more folksy version. The African influence involves the Caller, (person who calls out the steps.)(Just look it up.
vnbm 3 years ago
Cuban and Dominican kids both black and white and in between learn how to Meringue, Salsa, Cha-Cha and Bachata. These are all partnered dances. Dances that have a fusion of African, Native and Spanish rhythms. The partnering is a European element. In the U.S. this style of dancing seems to have disapeared from the younger generation, unless their parents put them in structured dance class.
vnbm 3 years ago
I feel U.S. urban black youth in the lower socio-economic bracket would benefit from ballroom/social dancing. Why? It is an activity that both young and old can participate in. Hip-Hop culture tends to cater to people 30 years old and below.
Back in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, U.S.black youth used to do skilled partner dance -Swing, Be-Bop etc. Unlike today-(Freaking/or just hanging onto each other doesn't count.They might as well be lying horizontal.)
vnbm 3 years ago
some of the girls look like they are not enjoying it and are getting dragged :(
jadem65 4 years ago
They look nothing like ballroom material...
auburn220 4 years ago
auburn 220 that negative comment was uncalled for.
vnbm 3 years ago 3
this is a great alternative to keeping kids off the streets give them positive outlets for creativity.
However, as a researcher of anthropology, I must question their use of ballroom dancing. Most African tribes have native dances. Perhaps these could be adapted in some form to get the same results?
lesliejs 4 years ago
True, there are alt. to BRD, but like trad. dancing, these 'tribes'(?) are keen to learn new things like BRD. Soccer has become a prominent feature in daily SA life, so has a number of other activities which some might term Eurocentric. This is not partic. a bad thing. The evolution of dance in SA: you have trad. dance, swing (google Sophia Town), kwaito and the list goes on. On the most part, the youth in SA are not losing their cultural ID - no more than the youth in EU and the Americas.
charlottewww 4 years ago
Lesliejs why would you question the use of ballroom dancing? I really doubt ballroom dancing would somehow make them lose their cultural heritage-i.e. language, customs.
Besides what about the idea of cultural fusion? All the popular ballroom dances from the Americas are a fusion of W. African and European influences-Swing/Jive (U.S.A black community),Samba,(Brazil) Mambo, Slasa, Meringue Cuba)Tango(Argentina)
vnbm 3 years ago
Lots of Asians in Asia and Western born Asians play classical Western music, yet they retain certain Asian customs, languages and whatever adaptation is useful for living in the modern world. I would think that people in other parts of the world would function in the same fashion.
Europeans who came to the Americas, retained only those adaptive stratagies that assisted in their material progress. Food,and ethnic holidays remained since those did not impede their assimilation.
vnbm 3 years ago
@lesliejs I am a ballroom dancer like these kids. I am from Kwa Zulu Natal and like these kids dance in regional competitions. In South Africa competitive ballroom dancing is predominantly a black sport, and it is extremely popular. Sure, its not 'traditional' as you might think, but that does not mean it shouldn't be used. Traditional dance forms are taught, but there is no structure that allows these traditional dances to be danced at a competitive level.
DoosaFan1 10 months ago
should do this in the UK to give our bored kids something to do! They'll love it!
693234 4 years ago
Sweet. Its nice to see something that can bring a whole community together.
BlueDelusion 4 years ago 3
This is nice.
Geo408 4 years ago
Oh so cute!
musyokat 4 years ago
I am so proud of my countrymen for their enthusiasm and good standards!
happyness01 4 years ago 2
wow!
cshorte 4 years ago
It makes me smile to see good wholesome activities happening in South African communities.
tusepagliacco 4 years ago