Pantsula

Pantsula is a highly energetic dance form that originated in the black townships of South Africa during the Apartheid era. It developed into a form of social commentary for black South Africans and has undergone several transformations with the country's changing political tides.

Origins and History

Pantsula dance emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a response to the forced removals implemented by the Apartheid government, shortly after its ascent to power. It began in Alexandra and Sophiatown, two townships around Johannesburg, as groups of older men engaged in informal street dance competitions. Gradually the dance form spread throughout South Africa.^[1] By the 1980s, pantsula was practiced by black South Africans of all ages and no longer limited to men. It began to develop more political overtones. Pantsula was used as an expression of resistance during the political struggle then occurring against the Apartheid government, as well as being used to spread awareness about social issues such as AIDS.^[2] After the end of Apartheid in 1994, pantsula persisted as an expression of cultural roots for many black South Africans. It also gained popularity in the white community of South Africa and has begun to take on new meanings as a dance form for all.

Technique

Pantsula is a syncopated, quick-stepping, low to the ground form of dance which evokes the urban street culture of which it is a part. It is performed by groups of dancers who practice together for many hours each week. It provides a powerful, stylized form of expression for those who dance it. As one pantsula dancer describes it “we have drive, we are one, we have power, we are young, strong and quick, we have our own style and we are competitive.”^[1] For pantsula, the group is very important to the dance.

It developed from the Sotho dances Mqaquanga and Marabi with influence by 1930's American jazz.^[3] Later evolutions of pantsula dancing in the 1980s were influenced by American hiphop and breakdance.^[2] Quick, darting steps in geometric lines with an uneven rhythmic quality characterize this form of movement. The Charleston, a knock-kneed manoeuvre from American jazz, as well as popping and locking found in American hiphop are also found in this form of dance. The word itself, pantsula, is Zulu and refers to “waddling like a duck.” This flat-footed move with buttocks sticking out behind the body is commonplace in the dance form.^[4]

Pantsula is divided into three distinct styles: Western Style, Slow Poison, and Futhuza. Western Style is the most typically found form, and it is highly rigorous. Arms remain wrapped around an upright torso while the feet move in extremely fast and particular shuffling and jumping movements as groups of dancers move in and out of geometric formations. This form requires good physical command of the body. Slow Poison is like Western style in form—mostly stationary arms with intricate lower body movements but it is performed in a slow, steady fashion with a constant beat. Futhuza is infused with elements of American breakdancing and hiphop. This form utilizes the somewhat disjointed, sometimes fluid, robotic motion of popping and locking.^[1]

Music

Originally, pantsula dancers did not have access to recorded music and danced to live music, including voices like Bra Sello and Big Voice Jack.^[1] As radios became more readily available they opted for International and American pop music, calling on icons like Michael Jackson as well as rappers including MC Hammer and Puff Daddy. However, in the 1990s, a particular type of music for pantsula emerged—kwaito. This multilingual music is typical of the myriad of cultures in South Africa and is a blend of seSotho, isisZulu, English, and Afrikaans. It is strong and sharp, like pantsula, and projects a streetwise, gangster image.^[2]

Style

Pantsula has simultaneously developed as a fashion style, referred to as “tsotsie”. It began with very well-dressed men—wearing formal collared shirts with dark dress slacks and shoes. Originally, pantsula groups wore matching outfits for performances. By the 1990s, the practice had changed so that dancers dressed to express their individuality, and the pantsula style had morphed into a much more casual one of Dickies pants and Converse shoes.^[2]

Social Cues

An image of gangsters, drugs and alcoholism can be attached to pantsula. The word pantsula comes from “tsostie taal” or gang talk,^[1] and pantsula is tied with the impoverished, sometimes violence ridden townships of South Africa and their “shebeens” or informal pubs where it developed.^[2] However, pantsula now often serves as a way for impoverished individuals to escape the problems of the township. The group with which a person dances may become like family, and pantsula provides a form of entertainment that is entirely legal.

Pantsula has always been a competitive form of dance, with groups competing against each other for respect. In the early days of pantsula these competitions occurred informally in the streets or other open spaces of the townships. Now, pantsula groups continue to engage in informal competition but also enter official competitions to win both prize money and respect. Pantsula groups have performed in such competitions as the nationally televised “Shell Road to Fame” as well as the FNB Vita Dance Shongololo and the Standard Bank National Arts Festival.^[2]

Pantsula has developed a much wider following since the 1950s. It is no longer limited to older black men. Now it is often performed by people of any age, any gender, even any race. Women are finding a place as choreographers and dancers. There are even some all female groups such as the Golden Dancers from KwaMashu Township. Pantsula has become popular in affluent, suburban areas such as Sandton, a wealthy and largely white suburb of Johannesburg. The malls of Sandton, like malls around the country, are popular places for young South Africans to hang out and stores are stocked with the “tsotsie” clothing of pantsula.^[2]

See also

• Dance
• African Dance
• South Africa

References

1. Myburgh, Collin Vincent (1993). Pantsula Dance - Case Studies on the origins and makings of a township art form. Johannesburg, South Africa. pp. 1–16.
2. Samuel, Gerry (2001). "Shifts in Pantsula in a performance context in KawZulu-Natal: a case study of Pearl Ndaba's Golden Dancers between 1998 - 2001". Footsteps Across the Landscape of Dance in South Africa: 53–58.
3. Pather, Jay. "personal communication".
4. "Real Actions". Retrieved 8 May 2013.

Literature

• Pantsula Dance - Case Studies on the origins and makings of a township art form
• Footsteps Across the Landscape of Dance in South Africa