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Gumboot dance began in the gold mines of South Africa where men were forced to work
underground in poor conditions often standing for hours in infected water. Instead
of attempting to drain the mines the workers were given gumboots (wellington boots)
for protection. The gold miners were forbidden from talking, and as a result created
a means of communication to keep morale high, send messages to each other and warn
each other about elements of danger like falling bricks. This 'language' was executed
through a variety of welly tapping, thigh slapping, foot stamping and clapping
After
the workers were freed, the steps they learnt in the mines became part of the new
Gumboot dance form and were then recognised nationally as a South African traditional
dance and still celebrated today marking the end of slavery in the mines
Cecilia Ndhlovu
started gumboot dancing at school and at the age of 16 she joined the national dance
troupe Black Umfolosi and began performing and teaching with the group. As well as
being a professional dancer Cecilia previously toured the world singing and recording
with Zimbabwe's biggest selling artist of all time 'Oliver Mtukudzi'. Now based in
the UK Cecilia facilitates gumboot dance workshops to adults and children of all
ages and will be releasing a gumboot dance workout video later in the year. Workshops
can be designed as a combination of dance, Zimbabwean/South African singing in native
Shona, Ndebele and Zulu languages and African percussion for a full insight and education
into the rich art forms available in her homeland.
