Slaves continued to Interpret life through dance. However, their dances, while based on the radiations of Africa, were Influenced by the European background of the plantation owners and the restrictions that they faced, so the dances changed. African slaves found ways to adapt their dancing and continue their traditions in secret, causing some changes in the dances. For example, since slaves were prohibited from lifting their feet, they created moves that included shuffling the feet and moving the hips and body.
The only place where African dances remained outside this influence was Congo Square In New Orleans. From 1805 to 1880 slaves were permitted to dance by the French and Spanish Catholics who inhabited the area. They felt that providing slaves with an opportunity to dance under supervision would make the slaves happier, monitor plans for revolt, and prevent secret voodoo dances from being performed. The dance of Africans is one technique the cultures had of passing on their histories and beliefs.
African dancing holds more importance than the dance steps of other cultures, since It Is part of their oral history practice rather than solely or social entertainment. The dance passed down each clan’s beliefs and history long before thieved written records. It Is an element of the oral history of each tribal country. In time, the African dances and songs gradually became urban music and dances which were spirited and lively, and because new steps and variations were constantly being created, the American people have taken an avid interest in this rhythmically strong kind of dance.
Jazz dance evolved into three different types in ate sass and early sass: 1) modern Jazz dance that was heavily influenced by classical ballet, 2) a type of Jazz dance that was Inspired by African dances. 3) a type of Jazz dance that consisted of comical music and tap dancing elements. Even though jazz dance was quite popular at the time, it began to lose its footing in the later part of the sass when Jazz music went through some major changes. A new type of Jazz, where rhythms were very complicated, had replaced the big band swinging Jazz, its complex beats had made it hard to dance to.
In addition, the birth of the record player and the heavy tax that the USA government Imposed on dance floors, had forced many clubs to terminate their business. With the passing of the older style of jazz dance came new developments in the jazz dance scene. Evolutions of jazz dance have taken place largely in the US and since the US is a mixing ground of various cultures, the new form of Jazz dance have brought together dance and music elements from different sources and backgrounds, such as African and Latin dancers.
The Jazz dance we see today has retained many of the old characteristics of the performing movement, the Jumping movements such as leaps and kicks and many more. Jazz dance, today, is not limited to using Jazz music as the only accompaniment, it can now be danced to popular music , blues, rock or even disco music; it presents a high level of adaptability and versatility and it allows ample room for incorporating trendy music and dance styles. This has made Jazz dance very popular throughout the world.
