The history of stepping

Stepping was first practiced in African-American universities in the US as a way of giving students a sense of empowerment. The ambassador for stepping in Belgium is Brussels-based American Briana Ashley Stuart.

[@coulorfully]

Stepping didn't start in frats and sororities, but became a powerful tool and popular there

[@sharonwilcox941]

Love my culture black is powerful and beautiful

[@christianlendo7787]

She did leave a lot of things out in her definition tho...

[@cherylharris5695]

You carry on stepping sister.

[@msbettann]

U really need 2do more research n2 the history of 'stepping'. It did not orginate on the HBCU campus. It began in Africa, Polynesia & other countries. Stepping has survived slavery even when the slave owners barred slaves from practicing this war dance. So u c u have a lot 2learn about stepping.

[@two16rcp]

Why do you say this?

[@rillesttalk]

She said it correctly as it relates to military-like formation(s) with style, chants and character. are not the originators.The boots were created after WWII. We started [recording] stomping and strolling in the early-1900s on HBCU campuses. There was literally no contact nor influence from Africans and no other indigenous people during that time.

[@A3901_]

@@two16rcp when you join a pan-hellenic greek letter organization, they explain stepping. It's origin, cultural influences on stepping and more

[@darkskinfatgirl0147]

It's so similar to gumboot dancing in Southern Africa

[@lisaandbeans9645]

Stepping needs to get back to the forefront on ADOS culture.

[@wellwithsmarel]

That’s inaccurate. While I appreciate the video, stepping began as African Gumboot dance when we were enslaved..I appreciate the sentiment of this video but we should dig deeper within our research .❤️

[@BRUZZ]

Thank you for your comment, Nicole. We love learning. Feel free to send several links with extra research that we can then add to our description. Have a lovely day! BRUZZ

[@FromTheHipp]

gumboot dancing is native to south africa. African americans have no ties to south africa. what she's talking about in the video predates gumboot dancing.

[@jpaultelchannel1702]

@@FromTheHipp But you are wrong! In the early 1920s there was a group of South Africans who came to study at the HBCU, the only University where they were allowed to study. To earn money they started a dance troupe and had an HBCU circuit, traveling from one HBCU to another. In fact, the troupe became a very popular cultural phenomenon and Ruben Kaluza, the South African gentleman, did perform for the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt. There is a very strong connection between the "stepping" form of dance found all over Africa and Stepping as it exists in the Black community in America.
czcams.com/video/XBA1Lh6sxzo/video.html

[@princessriddick3979]

This might also be inaccurate as gumboot started during apartheid in 1948 and stepping started around the same time in the late 1940s. It might be inspired by gumboot dance but Africans have had some form of stepping before gumboot. Even setapa could be seen as a slight form of stepping and that's South African dance.

[@CoconutMilk001]

I know this comment was from a year ago but y’all really take me out. African Americans didn’t just forget our culture after being forced into America. From all over Africa we brought those traditions with us and the way that we express those traditions should be honored. You can literally look at diasporic traditions world wide and trace them back to the continent bc that’s where Africans of all ethnicities come from, so to dismiss African American culture in a way that y’all don’t do with other African cultures in the diaspora is actually pure xenophobia.
Disrespectfully ❤️

[@imsooshook3871]

What I never understood is why Black communities choose to be called, "Greek". What's the connection?

[@QueeneAllie]

The use of Greek letters as a name for their fraternities and sororities puts them into the "Greek" system.

[@Littlewindow123]

Jesus loves you repent

[@cornellwaters8969]

yep!!!!

[@thehelm658]

STEPPING AND STROLLING=DIVINE 9 ONLY.

[@beautydefined1601]

Why is stepping mostly done with African American sororities and fraternities ?

[@BRUZZ]

Hi there! This is because 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. You can find even more information on this website: www.stepafrika.org/arts-education/stepping/

[@beautydefined1601]

@@BRUZZ thanks!

[@kazi2683]

@@BRUZZ stepping originates from gumboot dancing from south african students that attending hbcu .

[@beautydefined1601]

@@ceecee9582 ok….

[@nickmundoart3878]

@@ceecee9582 nadie es el dueño de un genero de baile o estilo de vida sindo que cada comunidades fundaron lo suyo para dejar su huella por su lucha para ellos y sus hermanos y hermanas etc

[@ritchiespence4292]

Trying to find 5 String Banjo Lessons...

[@joycebarfknecht1658]

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[@msbettann]

More of the history of stepping czcams.com/video/_tLxKq0IaZs/video.html

[@elainetims9510]

This is really inaccurate. VERY inaccurate

[@CamilleEssick]

You clearly don’t know your history..wow. Started in Africa 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@fritzkondjelanaunyango7969]

African Gumboot Dance... not American.

[@princessriddick3979]

they're not wearing gumboots, so it would not be considered gumboot dance

[@Littlewindow123]

Jesus loves you repent