Traditions: Stepping

We hope you’ve enjoyed the series of videos from the Sprite Step-Off. In keeping with the theme, we are happy to introduce a new blog series:  Traditions!

Today, We’ll examine Stepping.

“Stomp..Clap, Clap, Stomp, Clap Clap, Stomp, Stomp….” Stepping is a tradition where performers synchronize their moves choreographing a dance, most often without music. This all comes together to incorporate clapping, stomping their feet, jumps.   The end result of that mix of sounds and motions produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps.

Stepping is a tradition that dates back to the first historically Black Greek organizations. No specific date for the origin of this tradition can be traced.   Some black greek organizations feel that this tradition can be traced back to Africa and customary tribal dances. Historians like Elizabeth C. Fine Ph.D who wrote the book Soulstepping: African American Step Shows feel the roots of stepping in greek culture did not begin until the 1920′s, and did not further develop until the 1940′s.  Fine lists the first reference to “stepping” as an article printed in 1925 on the Howard University newspaper, The Hilltop. It indicates that it was Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity who made their pledges sing and dance around campus in a rhythmic form like stepping.

Stepping is rooted within the competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the early-1900s. Today stepping performances can be rather intricate with organizations using props like blindfolds, machete knives, canes, and other items to take their performance to another level.  Don’t miss an opportunity to check out a competition if you get a chance!

Here’s a stepping performance by the Sigma Chapter of Pi Delta Psi at AASA 2008