The History of Gumboot Dancing : A South African Story (Full Video)

Summary

The Gumbo dance, born in Johannesburg's mines in the 1950s, was a cultural expression and form of resistance for migrant laborers from diverse African backgrounds. It evolved into a vibrant dance form that has spread globally, symbolizing unity and cultural exchange. The script also highlights the growth of the Neptune boot manufacturing plant, emphasizing the evolution from simple protection to advanced safety features for laborers. The dance serves as a celebration of African heritage, resonating with a worldwide audience and inspiring further development and collaboration among artists.

Takeaways

• 🕺 The Gumbo dance originated in the mines of Johannesburg in the 1950s as a means of self-expression for migrant laborers from various cultural backgrounds.
• 🗣️ It started as a secret language to warn each other about danger and evolved into a creative outlet for cultural exchange and energy sharing.
• 🎉 In 2005, the Shusel was launched and registered as a brand, which has since spread across Africa and the world, embodying the movement of a steam train.
• 👢 The dance form is vibrant and energetic, capturing global attention and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
• 🏭 The script mentions a visit to Neptune's factory, where PVC boots are manufactured with attention to safety and protection for laborers' feet.
• 🛡️ There's a focus on adding extra protective features to the boots, reflecting a shift in societal values towards worker safety over the past few decades.
• 👟 The company's mission has expanded from merely producing gum boots to ensuring safety and comfort for workers in occupational environments.
• 🌐 Gumbo dance is described as a complex and beautiful rhythm that represents the beauty of Africa, often referred to as the 'heartbeat of the world'.
• 🎭 The dance serves as a celebratory story that embraces South Africa's history and speaks to its present and future.
• 🤝 It is accessible to all and has become a tool for self-celebration, honoring one's history, country, and culture.
• 💃 The speaker expresses gratitude to the pioneers of Gumbo dance and a desire to involve more people and collaborate with artists to share the collective story of South Africans.

Q & A

What is the origin of the gumbo dance?

The gumbo dance originated in the mines of Johannesburg in the 1950s, where migrant laborers from different cultural backgrounds in southern Africa needed a means of self-expression and communication.

Why did the gumbo dance start?

The gumbo dance started as a means for migrant laborers to express themselves, warn each other about potential dangers, and as a creative outlet against the oppressive system they were working under.

How has the gumbo dance evolved over time?

The gumbo dance has evolved from a form of communication and self-expression among miners to a vibrant, energetic dance form that has spread across Africa and around the world.

What is the significance of the shusel in the gumbo dance?

The shusel is a brand registered in 2005 that represents the gumbo dance. It symbolizes the movement of the arms and wheels of a steam train, which is a key element in the dance.

How has the gumbo dance influenced other cultural aspects?

The gumbo dance has influenced the culture of neptune boot manufacturing plants, where it has become ingrained in the workers' daily lives and has been further developed and celebrated.

What is the connection between gumbo dance and neptune boot manufacturing?

The gumbo dance has become a part of the culture at neptune boot manufacturing plants, where the dance's energy and rhythms have inspired the workers and contributed to a unique work environment.

How has the perception of safety changed in the context of the gumbo dance and neptune boot manufacturing?

In the past, safety was not a priority, but with the evolution of the gumbo dance and the neptune boot manufacturing, there is now a focus on providing extra protection for workers, such as metatarsal guards in boots.

What role does the gumbo dance play in occupational safety today?

The gumbo dance has inspired a greater focus on occupational safety, with the neptune boot manufacturing incorporating additional safety features to protect workers' feet.

What is the reaction of foreign people to the gumbo dance?

Foreign people are often amazed by the complexity, beauty, and energy of the gumbo dance, which they find to be a fascinating cultural expression.

How does the gumbo dance represent the spirit of Africa?

The gumbo dance represents the spirit of Africa by combining the rhythms and energy of various African cultures, symbolizing the continent's heartbeat and serving as a celebratory story of its history and identity.

What is the future outlook for the gumbo dance according to the script?

The future outlook for the gumbo dance is positive, with a desire to involve more people, collaborate with artists, and continue sharing the collective story of South Africans through this dance form.

Outlines

00:00

💃 The Origins and Cultural Impact of Gumbo Dance

The Gumbo dance originated in Johannesburg's mines during the 1950s as a form of expression among migrant laborers from various African backgrounds. It served as a warning system and evolved into a creative outlet, blending different cultures into a new language. The dance's rhythm is deeply ingrained in South African culture, and its influence has spread globally since its formal launch and registration as 'Shusel' in 2005. The dance's movements, inspired by the steam train's wheels and arms, have become a cultural phenomenon, especially within the Neptune boot manufacturing industry, symbolizing the workers' resilience and creativity.

05:03

👢 The Evolution of Safety and Neptune Boot Manufacturing

Neptune's factory tour reveals the meticulous process of molding PVC into boots, with a focus on adding extra protection for the metatarsal to ensure the safety of laborers. This reflects a significant shift from the past, where worker safety was often overlooked, to the present, where occupational health is a priority. Neptune has expanded its mission from merely producing gum boots to providing a comfortable, durable, and protective footwear that adds value and enhances safety in the workplace.

🎭 Embracing Gumbo Dance as a Celebration of South African Identity

The Gumbo dance has captivated audiences worldwide with its complex rhythms and energetic performances, showcasing the beauty of African cultural diversity. As a performing artist, the narrator expresses gratitude to the pioneers of the dance and a desire to further popularize it by involving more people and collaborating with various artists. The dance serves as a collective narrative for South Africans, celebrating their history, present, and potential future, and has become an accessible form of expression that embodies the spirit of the nation.

Keywords

💡Gumbo Dance

Gumbo Dance is a vibrant and energetic dance form that originated in the mines of Johannesburg in the 1950s. It was created by migrant laborers from various cultural backgrounds in Southern Africa as a means of self-expression and a form of resistance against oppressive systems. The dance is characterized by complex rhythms and energetic movements, which have become a significant part of South African culture. In the script, it is mentioned as a 'new language' that has spread globally, reflecting the cultural diversity and resilience of the people.

💡Migrant Laborers

Migrant laborers are workers who move from their home region or country to find work, often in harsh conditions and for low wages. In the context of the video, these laborers came from different parts of Southern Africa to work in the mines of Johannesburg. They played a crucial role in the creation of the Gumbo Dance as a way to express their shared experiences and to communicate with each other across language barriers.

💡Cultural Backgrounds

Cultural backgrounds refer to the unique customs, beliefs, and practices of a group of people. The script highlights that the migrant laborers came from diverse cultural backgrounds, each with their own languages and traditions. This diversity contributed to the richness of the Gumbo Dance, as elements from various cultures were integrated into the dance form.

💡Stun Style

Stun style is mentioned as the original form of communication that developed among the laborers, which later evolved into the Gumbo Dance. It served as a warning system and a creative outlet, allowing the workers to express themselves and share their energy. The term 'stun style' itself is not explicitly defined in the script, but it can be inferred as a form of non-verbal communication that was integral to the development of the dance.

💡Shusel

Shusel is a brand registered in 2005 that is associated with the Gumbo Dance. The script mentions the launch and registration of 'Shusel' as a significant milestone in the recognition and promotion of the dance form. The term 'Shusel' is used to represent the cultural movement and the brand that has helped to spread the Gumbo Dance across Africa and around the world.

💡Neptune Boot Manufacturing

Neptune Boot Manufacturing is a factory mentioned in the script that produces PVC boots, which are associated with the Gumbo Dance. The boots are not only a practical item for the workers but also a symbol of the dance's heritage. The script describes a visit to the factory, emphasizing the process of manufacturing the boots and the importance of adding extra protective features to ensure the safety of the laborers.

💡Metatarsal Protection

Metatarsal protection refers to the additional safety features incorporated into the design of the boots to protect the metatarsal bones in the feet. The script discusses the evolution of the boots from simple protective footwear to ones with enhanced safety features, reflecting a growing awareness of worker safety in the occupational environment.

💡Occupational Safety

Occupational safety is the practice of protecting workers from potential hazards in the workplace. The script highlights the importance of occupational safety, especially in the context of the Gumbo Dance and the manufacturing of protective boots. It contrasts the past, when worker safety was often overlooked, with the present, where there is a greater emphasis on ensuring the safety of workers.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm is a fundamental aspect of music and dance, referring to the pattern of movement or sound in time. In the context of the Gumbo Dance, rhythm is deeply ingrained in the culture and is described as having 'got into our blood.' The script emphasizes the complexity and beauty of the rhythms in the dance, which contribute to its appeal and the sense of unity it fosters among the dancers.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage encompasses the traditions, values, and artifacts that are passed down through generations within a culture. The Gumbo Dance is presented in the script as a part of South Africa's cultural heritage, reflecting the history and identity of the people. It serves as a celebratory story that embraces the past, present, and future of the nation and its diverse cultures.

💡Artistic Collaboration

Artistic collaboration refers to the process where artists work together to create new works or performances. The script mentions the eagerness of the speaker to take the Gumbo Dance further by involving more people and collaborating with other artists. This collaboration is seen as a way to share the collective story of South Africans and to continue the legacy of the dance.

Highlights

Gumbo dance originated in the mines of Johannesburg in the 1950s as a means of self-expression for migrant laborers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The dance style began as a warning system and evolved into a creative outlet for cultural exchange and energy sharing.

In 2005, the Shusel was registered as a brand, signaling its growth into a global phenomenon.

The movement of the arms and wheels in a steam train inspired the dance, reflecting the laborers' work in the mines.

Gumbo dance has become a cultural phenomenon, deeply ingrained in the identity of South Africa.

The dance form is vibrant and energetic, sparking global interest and fascination.

Neptune boot manufacturing plants adopted the gumbo dance as a part of their culture, integrating it into their work environment.

Gumbo dance has influenced the design of protective gear, such as PVC boots with metatarsal protection.

The focus of Neptune has shifted from mere production to ensuring safety and comfort in occupational footwear.

The dance's complexity and beauty are often met with astonishment by foreign observers.

Gumbo dance is seen as a celebration of African rhythms and the continent's rich cultural heritage.

The dance embodies the heartbeat of Africa, representing the continent's past, present, and future.

Gumbo dance is accessible to all, allowing individuals to celebrate their history, culture, and identity.

Artists and performers are eager to further develop and share the story of Gumbo dance with a wider audience.

The dance serves as a platform for collaboration among artists, aiming to share the collective narrative of South Africa.

The evolution of Gumbo dance reflects the changing attitudes towards worker safety and the importance of occupational health.

Transcripts

[Music]

gumbo dance started in the mines

in johannesburg back in the 1950s where

the migrant

laborers met to work obviously all of

them were coming from

different southern parts of africa from

different cultural backgrounds

speaking different languages and they

then needed to come up with a means of

expressing themselves not just amongst

each other but also against the system

that was oppressing them

so this language or the stun style then

started

as a means of them sometimes warning

each other that hey watch out he is

coming

but also then grew into this creative

outlet and the means of them just

exchanging

the energy the different cultures and

this new language was then born

it is part of our culture the rhythm of

gun beats has got into our blood i

suppose you could say

in 2005 when we launched and registered

the shusel as a brand

we didn't realize how far it would go

and where it's gone into africa

and where it's gone around the world and

just the the meaning behind that

the movement of the arms of a steam

train that movement of the wheels you

know as the arms pushed the wheels

there was the dance that the guys were

doing on the mines and

um and singing the shusha loser's song

but that's become like a culture of this

neptune boot manufacturing plants where

it's gone under our skin

with gumbo dance being this vibrant

energetic dance form

then you can't help but want to know

more about it so they started talking

more about it they started

recreating it they started developing it

further

and obviously the world then caught up

with this vibe that is now happening

in southern africa and gambut dance then

really became this

new language that everyone all over the

world was just fascinated by

[Music]

so

[Music]

walking into neptune's factory was was

an extraordinary experience

for me just to be able to see these pvc

pilots being molded into boots and also

seeing the different machines that i use

to manufacture these extraordinary

boots and obviously some of them now

have

extra protection for the metatarsal and

also then to to kind of look at that

and see how in the same way gum boots

were created back in the days as a means

of wanting to protect the feet

there has been that careful attention to

adding those extra features

in making sure that the laborers are

extra protected

we've seen that really important

especially in today's age where

you know 20 30 40 years ago no one

really cared about the safety of people

but today with more and more people in

the occupational environment

and more and more people being injured

there's a bigger need

and so we're really enjoying

the importance of finding that space

where we can help people to

protect their feet our focus has gone

from

just making gun boots to actually

helping people stay safe and keep safe

and and it's become part of our passion

as

about providing a product that is

comfortable easy to wear

durable has great perceived value

and protects a person's feet

i think one of the most common reactions

that we get from

especially foreign people when they

watch gumbo dance they're just

mind blown by the complexity and the

beauty of the rhythms

and also the energy that is involved in

in gambundans

the beauty or the complexity of all

these rhythms just

meeting together then combines and

presents

what we would regard as as the beauty of

the piles of

of africa which some have spoken about

as you know africa being the the

heartbeat

of of the world

it has now become this beautiful

celebratory

uh story that that really embraces our

history and and

speaks of who we are in the context of

our past

our present and who we can also be in in

the future as well

and it really is a dance that we can all

access to celebrate

ourselves our history and and and our

country and our cultures

you know it's now accessible to all of

us and

and i'm grateful as as a performing

artist

to to to those pioneers who are part of

that

but i'm also eager to take it further to

get a lot more people

involved and and to collaborate with

many other artists

and to keep sharing our collective story

as south africans