Black Fraternities and Sororities and the History of Stepping

Stepping is an expressive dance form that was created by African American fraternities in the 1970s. It is usually accompanied by singing and "chanting," something that will be discussed later. Multiple participants congregate in a decided formation and are started off by a leader, sometimes called the step master, who begins a chant to kick off the step. Participants then clap, stomp, and slap body parts in unison to create a unified sound.

Black Fraternities and Sororities

The first African American fraternity was developed in December of 1906 under the name Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. In those racially charged times, African Americans in college found that it was not realistic to attempt membership into historically white organizations. Thereafter, many other African American fraternity and sororities were established, predicated on the belief that there was more to being a member of a fraternity or sorority than skin tone, class, or social status. There are currently nine black fraternal organizations officially recognized by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the "Divine Nine."

History of Stepping

Most historians agree that Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and then Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, were the first to start the stepping phenomenon which has become wildly popular today.

The contributions of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, made stepping moves sourced directly from African culture more common. It is the tribal, African feel of stepping that makes it powerful. The incorporation of props, namely canes was first introduced to stepping by Kwame Nkrumah. One of the most popular step routines is the "Nut Cracker," a step that uses traditional African beats and complicated movements characteristic of African dancing.