1. Rhythm and Polyrhythms: African dance is characterized by intricate rhythms and polyrhythms, often involving multiple layers of beats played simultaneously. This rhythmic complexity found its way into African-American dance forms such as tap, jazz, and hip-hop, contributing to their unique rhythmic patterns.
2. Isolation and Body Movement: African dance involves isolating different parts of the body while moving others, creating dynamic and expressive body movements. This concept significantly influenced jazz dance and later, hip-hop, contributing to the development of isolations, pops, and fluid body control.
3. Call and Response: Call and response, where one dancer or group initiates a movement, and others respond in kind, is a common characteristic of African dance. It found its way into African-American social dances like the Lindy Hop and influenced the call-and-response patterns in hip-hop battles.
4. Improvisation and Musicality: African dance values improvisation and reacting spontaneously to the music. This improvisational spirit carried over to American dances, encouraging dancers to create their own steps and interpretations based on the music's rhythms.
5. Social Expression and Community Building: African dance has always been a social activity, often used for storytelling, celebrations, and community cohesion. This social aspect influenced the development of dance as a means of self-expression and community building within African-American communities and beyond.
6. Cultural Preservation: African dance traditions brought to the Americas through the slave trade became a means of cultural preservation and resilience for African-Americans during times of oppression. These traditions were passed down from generation to generation, ultimately influencing the evolution of American dance forms.
7. Global Fusion and Contemporary Dance: In contemporary dance, African dance continues to inspire choreographers and dancers worldwide, leading to various fusion styles that blend African dance elements with other forms, creating new and innovative artistic expressions.
Overall, African dance left an indelible mark on American dance, contributing to the richness, diversity, and vibrancy of dance traditions in the United States.