Gumboot Juba Window InstallationArtist Dianne Smith

Presented by West Harlem Art Fund

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Sponsored by: The Armory Show Presented by: West Harlem Art Fund

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Dianne Smith 2011Gumboot JubaMixed Media Installation

Juba, Pattin' Juba or Guiba are the names used to describe this dance of West African origin. Performed across Southern plantations, the Caribbean and in Dutch Guiana, enslaved Africans forbidden to use drums or even lift their feet, created body sounds and movements to replace their drums. Juba’s later popularity in musical performances and minstrel shows, indirectly birth American Tap dance in the United States. The most famous dancer of that time was a free man of color named Master Juba (William Henry Lane). He has been credited with introducing Tap Dance to American culture.

A century later, South African miners suffering harsh working conditions also came up with a rhythmic way to communicate with each other using hand slapping and body movement. While wearing Wellington Boots also known as Wally Boots, the Gumboot dance was born and took the place of drums.

In our contemporary culture, we can see these influences in Step Dancing, a line dance still performed today by African American and now Latino Greek fraternal organizations.

Mink BuildingWest Harlem

Mink BuildingAmsterdam Avenue

Dianne SmithHarlem Artist

Gumboot Juba