Dance

Specific Dance Forms in South Africa

Volkspele

Literally tranlated this is "folk games", but actually refers to the formal folk dances developed for the white Afrikaans-speaking population by *** and S.H. Pellissier in 193* as part of the development of an Afrikaans cultural heritage. In fact this was an entirely artificial exercise, since there had never really been a widely established tradition of dance among the white Dutch/Afrikaans-speaking population, beyond the social dance practices known throughout the Empire. Created to establish an identity for the emerging "Afrikaner nation" - particularly during the flush of patriotism engendered by the 1938 centenary celebrations for the Great Trek, the dances and music were derived from forms and examples found in the European countries of origin (mainly Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands *?). According to Pellissier, he had been impressed by Swedish folk dance during a visit in 1912, and began to translate the songs into Afrikaans (1914). Utilising his position as educator - and aided by miss A.M. Köhler and miss M.E.J. Coetzee at the Teacher's Training College in Bloemfontein, he became systematically involved in this project in the 1930's. A volkspele costume was also designed, ostensibly based on the dress of the original "voortrekkers", including men in colourful waistcoats and women in long dresses and kappies.** It was all part of a larger process initiated by the historical and cultural writings of Gustav Preller, **, **, P.J. Meyer, H.B. Thom, F.C.L. Bosman, P.J. Nienaber and others, all seeking to define the Afrikaner identity and culture. It devloped alongside and as part of such other cultural movements as the Voortrekkers (the "pioneers”, a South African version of the scouts), *. The volkspele costume became symbolic of the Afrikaner history, and the dances and songs themselves part of the mythology. As such they occurred in numerous pllys, pageants and other festive activities focussed on the celebration of Afrikaans culture. A network of Volkspele groups were formed among the youth throughout the country, competitions were set up and gatherings ("saamtrekke") held to enhance a sense of solidarity and idnetity. The heyday of the volkspele movement appears to have been between 1938 and 1961, for by the 1940's they had created a Uniale Raad van Volkspele ( "Union-wide Council for Folk Dance") in association with the Reddingsdaadbond, to organize, teach and promote Volkspele in the country.

Dance competitions in South Africa

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