-
The Slave Trade
When the slave trade started, communities of Africans were brought to the united states. Slaves were often prohibited from dancing, but African-based movements found their way into European dance styles, quickly evolving into popular American dances. -
Period: to
West African Dance Timeline
-
Different Colonies
The African slaves started influencing their dances with different colonies such as the French, Dutch and British. -
Minstrel Shows
The minstrel show was an American form of entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people specifically of African descent. The shows were mocking African tradition with white men with black paint on their faces. -
Buddy Bradley
Buddy Bradley was a successful African-American dancer and choreographer of the 1930's and later. He taught ballet and modern contemporary to African dancers. -
Other Forms of Dancing
Street-dancing, break dancing, hip hop and many other forms, are close to what traditional African dancing used to be. Hip hop dancing is typically danced to rap songs. Rap is often telling a story and the dance performed tells the story just like traditional African dancing in the 1600's. -
Now
West African dancing is still very popular and has developed over many years. It has developed into hundreds of different styles of dancing. The styles of dance are always changing but will always contain the qualities of traditional West African dancing.
