Dancing through the decades

November 24, 2016

Photo

Previous Pause Next

In this file 2008 photo, this couple showed the crowd that it was time for 'dagger morning'.

This woman dances up a storm during Smirnoff Vodka's Jitterbug that was held in New Kingston earlier this year.

Dancer L'antoinette Stines shows off a few dance moves at Rebel Salute in 2005.

These patrons were busy doing the 'Willie Bounce' dance move at Renaissance Disco's Birthday Party in 2005.

Passa Passa was quite an eventful party, and in this 2007 file photo, this couple blocked traffic as they danced in the middle of the road.

This elderly woman gets warmed up during Weddy Weddy's Third Anniversary party held at the Stone Love Headquarters in July 2007.

This woman proves she is 'no boring gal' with some acrobatics at Bembe Orientation Party, held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road in January 2008.

In this 2008 file photo, (from left) Ravers Clavers dancer Strength, Usain Bolt and Ding Dong dance up a storm at Usain Bolt's homecoming concert that was held on the grounds of the William Knibb Memorial High Schoo in Trelawny

In this file photo, teens were seen doing the ska at a party.

Rex Nettleford (left) performs with Yvonne DaCostain in 1962.

Dancing has always been a major part of the Jamaican culture.

The years after colonisation saw Jamaicans combining European and African dance moves to create dances like Bruckins, Kumina, Dinki-Mini, and Quadrille.

After gaining independence in 1962, the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica was established. This gave rise to dancers like Ivy Baxter and Professor Rex Nettleford, who paved the way for traditional dance.

In the years that followed, there were dance moves that were influenced by local genres of music like mento, ska, and rocksteady.

In more recent years, dancehall and reggae took over, with dancers like Gerald 'Bogle' Levy and dancehall Queen Carlene coming to the fore.

Now, dancing is a major part of all parties held in the country.

Here are some highlights.