Stepping (African-American)

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.

The dance is also commonly performed by groups in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as churches (as highlighted in the 2017 documentary Step).

Stepping is a complex performance that melds folk traditions with popular culture as it involves synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama.

[3] 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.

Following the ban, the percussive dance form (known today as stepping) began to emerge as enslaved people replaced the drums with their bodies.

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.

[6] 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.

Latino Greeks are performing in more step shows, stroll competitions, and social functions on college campuses throughout the United States.