Step : to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession b : DANCE
How many of you went to see the new film Stomp the Yard this weekend? If you did, you were not alone! Stomp the Yard debuted in the number one position of the box office, bringing in a cool $22 million. In case you have not seen the movie or do not know what it is about, Stomp the Yard is about a step competition between rival fraternities at a college.
Now, if you have not see a step competition, you may be asking yourself just what it is. I was fortunate enough to go to a college that featured step competitions. However, we only had four fraternities on campus (and one was a business fraternity) at Christian Brothers, so the step competition performed by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was really just for show. But what a show it was!
Stepping is a popular performance art that includes complex footwork, foot stomps (hence the title of the film), vocals, and handclaps. Think that sounds hard? To complicate the dance further, the steppers are performing all these moves in synchronized motions. It is performed, as far as I know, primarily among black fraternities (including the Masons) and in some cases, sororities. Many say it symbolizes the brotherhood of the fraternity as well as the African heritage of those performing the step.
How did stepping start? Some date it all the way back to 1906 as part of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity initiation. The earliest written reference to stepping by pledges appeared in a student newspaper at Howard University in 1925. But most agree that stepping is derived from chants and dances that were performed by African natives then brought to this country by the slaves as a way to remember their heritage.
While the teams may make stepping look easy, it is not. Some teams have admitted to practicing routines up to 20 hours a week to make sure they are at the top of their game. While the exact heritage of stepping may not be known, I do know that it is a very lively, exciting performance and if you get a chance to see a step competition live, take that opportunity. Until then, you may want to check out Stomp the Yard.