Originating in African American communities, step dance was a form of percussive dance that involved intricate footwork, rhythmic stomping, and hand claps. It was often performed in …

It is a percussive dance in which the participant's body produces complex rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, spoken words, and handclaps. Black Africans brought …

Sep 5, 2025 · Stepping originated in African American fraternities and sororities in the early 1900s, but its roots trace even further back to African tribal dances. These dances …

The dance tradition of stepping draws from a variety of roots in American and African culture but was fostered and popularized by African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the …

Sep 15, 2017 · Step dancing can be traced back to the very beginning of the African American experience and was a rich part of early American culture. Step dancing has developed and is …

The first official Greek Step Show, a major event in which sororities and fraternities celebrate new initiations, was held at Howard University in 1976, where stepping became established as the …

The dance was performed in Dutch Guiana, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Later in the mid-19th century, music and lyrics were added, and there were public performances of …

Mar 22, 2018 · The dance took on its distinctly percussive style following the 1739 Stono Rebellion in South Carolina. The rebellion began with 20 slaves, who banged on drums as …

Apr 3, 2024 · Did you know that stepping originated in West Africa? Hand clapping and foot stomping were the main elements of African folk dances from the 15th century. During the …

We don’t know exactly when step dancing began, but we do know step has origins in West Africa. Hand clapping and foot stomping have been documented as elements of African folk dances …