195o's inspired african print lover

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Gumboots and Beyond

Hello everyone sorry its been such a long long long time! As you probably all know its been quite a thought provoking week or so here in London. If I was to even start talking about it I would need a book not a blog post. Good god there is so much to say and so much that has already been said. So rather than be another voice in that crowd I have decided to take us off topic or maybe not that off topic........

I came across these amazing kids on you tube doing some clap step or stomp or gumboot dancing or whatever you want to call it (there seems to be 100 names).....I just call it mesmerising.


These kids are out of this world not one single person even a tiny bit out of step!


They are not however the originators of this kind of dance. Its know as South African Gumboot dancing. This was traditionally used to send messages over a short distance in the mines. The authorities did not allow the use of drums so this was a perfect and very resourceful solution in the dark wet of a gold mine. Hope your all slapping your legs and hands and trying (and failing) just like me!