Dances created in response to Apartheid

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Dances created in response to Apartheid

Apartheid or ‘apartness’ as it means in the Afrikaans language was a system of racial

segregation that existed in South Africa from the late 1940s to early 1990s. It was characterized

by white man supremacy and national oppression of the non-whites; black Africans and

Asians[CITATION May99 \l 1033 ]. During this period the colored population especially black

South Africans experienced a lot of suffering and brutality. Creativity in terms of art, music and

dance was and still is their greatest source of comfort.

Pantsula is one such dance that dominated during apartheid. The modern day Kwaito

music is a typical music for this quick stepping, low to the ground, rhythmic footwork that

translates to a dance. It emerged back in the 1950s and 1960s just after the apartheid system of

governance began in response to the forceful evictions carried out by the authorities[ CITATION

Myb93 \l 1033 ]. Its birth was at local dance competitions conducted by groups of old men in

Alexandra and Sophiatown areas of Johannesburg. With time it spread like a bush fire and

gained popularity not only among blacks of all ages and sexes living in other towns but also

whites. The main aim of this dance was to express resistance towards the oppressive

government and create awareness on existing issues such as poor living conditions as well as

emergent problems like the HIV/AIDS pandemic[CITATION Ger \l 1033 ].

Toyi-toyi dance is described as the “war dance” of Black South Africans and shares a

link with the Mau Mau fighters of Kenya who fought against the Briton colonialists. The chants

and dance symbolized unity and togetherness amidst abject poverty and heartbreaking

conditions. It instilled fear in the armed colonial forces but distracted it among the protesters who

would move while chanting political slogans. In as much as they knew they would be harassed or

worse, be killed in the process it gave them confidence. This dance brought together leaders and
Dances created in response to Apartheid

their followers. It could be both constructive and destructive. It could symbolize war and

celebration as well[CITATION cap18 \l 1033 ].

Dances created in response to Apartheid

References

magazine, c. (2018). toyi toyi. Retrieved from capetown magazine site:

htttps://www.capetownmagazine.com

Mayne, A. (1999). From Polititvcs Past to Politics Future:An Intergrated Analysis of Current and

Emergent Paradigms. Westport, Conneticut.

Myburgh, C. V. (1993). Pantsdula Dance- Case studies on the origins and making of a township

artform. Johannesburg.

Samuel, G. (2001). Shifts in Pantsula in a Performance context of KwaZulu Natal:a case study of

Pearl Ndaba's Golden Dancers Between 1998-2001. Footsteps across the landscape of

dance in South Africa, pp. 53-58.