Final answer:
The gumboot dance, originating from South African miners and known traditionally as isicathulo, transformed into various dance forms including African American Steppin'. These dance forms, enriched by African American musical traditions, have significantly influenced the cultural and artistic landscape in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonists brought various cultural elements to America, including dance forms that evolved and changed name over time. The gumboot dance, known in its traditional form as isicathulo, which means "shoes" in Zulu, was brought by African slaves and later evolved in different contexts. These dance forms underwent transformations as they were introduced to different communities and social circumstances.
The gumboot dance originated in the South African gold and diamond mines in the late 1800s. It represents a blend of ethnicities and has evolved through oral tradition among miners. African American Steppin' is one dance form that shows a clear historical connection with gumboot dancing. This connection is evident in the many similarities in physical movements and historical origins shared by both as they were passed down and reinvented through generations.
Enslaved African Americans utilized music and dancing, such as patting juba, a precursor to the Charleston, as a means of community and communication. These cultural expressions persisted despite prohibitions and have left a lasting impact on the American artistic landscape, influencing many contemporary art forms and traditions, including dance.