Clogging: A Dance Form That Will Always Remain In Trend

Clogging (dancing on wooden clogs sandals) is a traditionalfolk dance whose roots may be found in the European dances from the British Isles. Historically speaking, clogging was done to socially unite people in the Appalachian Mountains as early as the 1300s.

Since then, the clogging style of dance has been diffusing in various culture and has been enriching their celebration of the art of dancing. Various communities has accepted this dance form with open arms and added their own variations it. In the early 1400s, as clogging was migrated to England, the leather topped shoe replaced the wooden clogs. The modification went on further in 1500s, with wooden heels being attached to the leather shoe itself.   

Later on, the word clogging was replaced with more contemporary names like flat-footing, foot-stomping, buck dancing, clog dancing, jigging, or other terms popular among the local people. Through all these terms the primary emphasis was laid upon the prolific use of footwork. Also, many old fashioned clogging shoes were made entirely from leather or velvet, with wooden soles.  

Clogging shoes comprise of jingle taps. There are four jingle taps on each shoe, two of them on the heel and the other two on the toe.  One of tap is permanently fixed and the other one is loosely fastened. The loosely fastened one hits both the floor and the fixed tap while performing, or simply walking.

Tradition of clogging in USA

The roots of clogging in the U.S can be found in the Appalachian region and the Ozarks. In U.S, it is believed that bluegrass, which is based on Scots-Irish tunes of the Violin, is an offshoot of clogging.  

Popularly known as buck dancing in America, it was brought into trend by the minstrel performers in the late 19th century. Buck dancing became a source of charm for numerous festivals and fairs. The word buck originates from bockorau that can be traced to an Angolan word buckra, used to signify the white people. According to some sources, buck was a jig dance that was performed by the Irish immigrant sailors. 

Talking about the modern form of clogging, it is in assimilation of its traditional but is performed to a myriad styles of music ranging from bluegrass, modern country, rock music, pop, and hip hop. Today, competitive clogging competition are being held in the entire United States, majority being held in southeastern states. Also, there has been a shift from the flat foot dancing to dancing on the toes.