Gumboot dance

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The gumboot dance is an African dance that is performed by dancers wearing Wellington boots. In South Africa, these are more commonly called gumboots. The boots may be embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground. The dance likely originated among South African gold miners.^[1] Many of the steps and routines are parodies of the officers and guards who controlled the mines and workers barracks.^{[citation needed]} Gumboot dancers are a common sight on the streets and plazas of tourist areas in South Africa, such as the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The dance is the highlight of the performance of Black Umfolosi, a prominent Zimbabwean folk group.^[2]

The album Graceland by the American pop singer Paul Simon has a song titled "Gumboots", which is performed in the style of South African township jive (mbaqanga) and contains performances by members of the Boyoyo Boys.

[edit] External links

• Lesole's Dance Project - South African Gumboots (example of dancers with bells on their gumboots)

[edit] References