From barnyard Boere culture to Tuks Jols,
this dance is alive and kicking!
SOKKIE is an informal, modern social ballroom dance
and is an indigenous fusion of dances. It
appears to have
evolved from formal farm gatherings of boere to a contemporary dance style
for young party-goers.
It rates as Pretoria's most popular party prance as
Sokkie was enthusiastically adopted in the halls of learning - a varsity
bundu basher. At varsity 'Sokkie-jols', male students used their partner as
a ramrod to mow their way through the throngs and around the floor.
The dance was baptised 'Sokkie' when it
became traditionally comfortable for all to kick their shoes off and do it
in their socks.
SOKKIE STYLE AND HOLD: Since Sokkie resembles Two-step in
style and the man holds his partner close, doing most of the leading with
his body. The basic forward and
back movement is a smooth, even style - as the couple shuffle along high on
their toes.
SOKKIE MUSIC AND RHYTHM: The perfect beat to shuffle Sokkie to
is heavy, heartbeat Boogie music. Boogie music is written in 4/4 time (4
beats to the measure or bar of music) Because of all the beats being clear,
beginners find dancing to this strong 1, 1, 1, 1 rhythm easy to manage.
Learn how
to Sokkie in Five Easy Steps
Step 1 - Find a Bokkie to Sokkie with. Shorter bokkies are less
intimidating than taller bokkies. Ask her for a sokkie - Bokkie, wil jy met
my sokkie? Or in true David Kramer style say "Bokkie, wil jy met my dans
vanaand? Bokkie, kom vat 'n kans vanaand. O sê net ja of nee, maar sal jy
antwoord gee? O Bokkie, Bokkie wil jy dans of nie?"
Step 2 - "Noice and Toit" Once she accepts, lead her to the dance floor
and hold her "noice and toit"! Oukie leads with his left hand to the front -
the windsurfing stance, and Bokkie rests her right hand in his. Oukie's
spare hand rests on her back and will occasionally slip down towards a more
supportive position - the buttocks!
Step 3 - Oukie makes the first move Wait for the rhythm, catch the beat
and fall into step. Oukie must lead. He will use his left foot to begin with
and step forward. Bokkie then uses her right foot and steps backwards. The
sokkie is actually just a walk to a beat, not a bounce, but more like a
slide. Bokkie must stay close enough to Oukie so that she can feel when he
wants to up the pace or change directions.
Step 4 - Twists and Turns There are many twists and turns in the sokkie
business. To start out with, here are the basic ones.
1. To change direction both Oukie and
Bokkie have to turn together. When to change direction is up to Oukie (even
if Bokkie sees them crashing into a wall). Oukie will know when the time is
right and will guide Bokkie around an obstacle. Steps don't have to change,
just the direction does.
2. The outward twirl is an old favourite. Bokkie lets go of Oukie's back and
he thrusts her outwards while still holding onto her hand. Both partners
take a step outwards (while Bokkie is twirling out) and both step in again
(on Bokkie's way back into Oukie's arms).
3. The outward inward twirl involves a little more intellect. As above
Bokkie twirls out. This time when she twirls back in she does not go
straight back into Oukie's arms but instead does a double twirl on her way
in so that her back faces Oukie's front. He then holds her for a second or
two and then twirls her out and in again into the normal sokkie position.
Step 5 - Be creative The great joy of this dance style is that it allows
for creativity. If you and your partner know a little swing or two-step,
throw it in. The pace can be increased or decreased according to the mood
and beat of the tunes. Hand positions can change and can move from above the
neck to the small of the back and the buttocks. Don't allow conventions to
stifle your inventiveness on the dance floor. The sokkie is a dance for all
ages, all cultures and all occasions!
Thanks to
http://www.geocities.com/danceinfosa/disadics.html
and
http://www.student2b.co.za/artikel.asp?nID=183
