These Boots Are Made for Gumboot

Ready, set, stomp!

Introduce your students to gumboot dance using this video: “The History of Gumboot Dancing.” Include a discussion on the dance’s history, mentioning that it was born out of necessity for enslaved miners in the 19th century.

After learning about its history, have your students get on their feet and try out some basic steps. Mirroring the video, encourage everyone to practice the three elements of gumboot: stomping, slapping and clapping. With these elements, invite them to create an 8-count of their own, combining stomps, slaps or claps, in whatever sequence they choose.

Next, host a call and response game in which each student dances their 8-count one-by-one and the rest of the class responds with the same 8-count. Then, try combining everyone’s rhythms into one giant gumboot dance, adding on another student’s 8-count every week until you have a whole dance piece! Culminate the unit by performing your class’s unique gumboot dance for another class or film it to post on social media.

To support this unit, use the Step, Slap, Echo Activity.