DescriptioJookin, Jiggin, Beatin Ya Feet and Gettin’ Light: African-American Footwork Traditions Kioni Shropshire-Maina Loyola Marymount University,

This paper looks specifically at Memphis jookin, New Orleans jiggin, Washington DC’s beat ya feet and New York City’s litefeet. It explores common characteristics and regional differences in each dance, connecting them to older African and African-American dance aesthetics. Emphasizing shared cultural heritage, this paper argues that these dances form a singular body of work that is directly connected to African-American dance traditions developed during and after enslavement. In addition, it argues that these dances are important cultural institutions and act to preserve specific African-American socio-cultural practices.

Beat Ya Feet is an art form of dance that originated in Washington, DC and is performed mostly to go-go music, a rhythmic, percussion dependent style of music (mostly played by local District bands). Beat Ya Feet has evolved overtime through the creativity of DC’s local talent.