The Juba danceorhambone, originally known as Pattin' Juba (Giouba, Haiti: Djouba), is an African-American style of dance that involves stomping as well as slapping and patting the arms, legs, chest, and cheeks (clapping). "Pattin' Juba" would be used to keep time for other dances during a walkaround. A Juba dance performance could include steps such as the "Jubal Jew", "Yaller Cat", "Pigeon Wing" and "Blow That Candle Out".
The dance traditionally ends with a step called the "Long Dog Scratch". Modern variations on the dance include Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley Beat" and the step-showsofAfrican American Greek organizations.[1]
The Juba dance was originally brought by enslaved peoples from the KongotoCharleston, South Carolina.[2] It became an African-American plantation dance that was performed by slaves during their gatherings when no rhythm instruments were allowed due to fear of secret codes hidden in the drumming. The sounds were used in the same manner as Yoruba and Haitian talking drums to communicate and relay information.[3][unreliable source?] The dance was performed in Dutch Guiana, the Caribbean, and the southern United States.[4]
Later in the mid-19th century, music and lyrics were added, and there were public performances of the dance. Its popularization may have indirectly influenced the development of modern tap dance.[citation needed] The most famous Juba dancer was William Henry Lane, or Master Juba, one of the first black performers in the United States. It was often danced in minstrel shows, and is mentioned in songs such as "Christy's New Song" and "Juba",[5] the latter by Nathaniel Dett.[6]
In the 1930s and 1940s, African American composer Florence Price drew inspiration from juba when composing her symphonies.
Hambone was famously adopted and adapted in the 1950s by rhythm & blues singer Bo Diddley for his "Bo Diddley beat", which was copied by many rock musicians.
"Juba Juba", a popular song about the Juba:[3]
A song about the hambone from Step it Down (v.s.):
