Clogging

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Clogging is a traditional type of percussive folk dance which is associated with a number of different regions across the world.

Originally, it was not always called "clogging", being known variously as flat-footing, foot-stomping, buck dancing, jigging, or other local terms. What all these had in common was emphasizing the downbeat of the music by enthusiastic footwork.

In the U.S. it originates from the Appalachian region and is associated with the predecessor to bluegrass — "old-time" music, which is based on Irish and Scots-Irish fiddle tunes.

Clog dancing was a common pastime in 18th century England. It is thought to have developed in the Lancashire cotton mills where wooden-soled clogs were preferred to leather soles because the floors were kept wet to help keep the humidity high, important in cotton spinning. Clog dancers were a common sight at music halls throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century. Dan Leno became the world champion clog dancer in the 1880's, although records show that competitive clog dancing was a frequent occurrence throughout the 19th century.

Clogging is also traditional in Wales and is a regular feature of both local and national eisteddfodau. Competition can be energetic with the dancers leaping over brooms.

In the U.S., the Appalachian style of clogging, as well as many distinct styles, have developed. Modern competitive clogging style incorporates aspects of the English and Irish step dances, as well as American Appalachian clogging, French-Canadian step dance, tap and more. The high-energy style has opened the form to a wide audience, and the traditional styles also continue to flourish, with hundreds of workshops and competitions every year.

Clogging is the official state dance of Kentucky and North Carolina.

In Europe, clogging groups are often part of square dance clubs, but some are also organised as individual clogging clubs.

English clogging started in the Industrial Revolution. Men sitting at the weaving machines wore hard sole shoes, which they would tap to the rhythms of the machines to keep their feet warm. At their breaks and lunches, they would have competitions, where they were judged on the best rhythm patterns. In later years of the Industrial Revolution, they clogged on proper stages at competitions. In these competitions, the judges would watch the routine and jugde it according to footwork, percision, and technique.