State Folk Dance of North Carolina: Clogging

by Steven Case and Amy Kemp, 2017.
NC Government & Heritage Library.

See also: North Carolina State Symbols and Official Adoptions main page; State Popular Dance 

The General Assembly of 2005 adopted Clogging as the official folk dance, and Shagging as the official popular dance.

Session Laws, 2005, c. 218

Selection as State Folk Dance

The appointment of state dance has been in contention in the North Carolina legislature since 1987, when Rep. David Redwine of Brunswick county submitted a bill to name Shagging the state dance, even going so far as to demonstrate the three-step to his legislative subcommittee. The movement failed, largely due to opposition from other dance factions. Three-dance bills (Shagging as state beach dance, Clogging as state folk dance, and Square Dance as American folk dance) were introduced in 1993, 1995, and 1997 but at the time it was reported that the lawmakers wanted to spend their time on ‘weightier matters.’ A separate bill was also introduced in 1997 to make Square dancing the official state dance, and supporters hoped to have it passed in time for Charlotte to host the 47^th annual National Square Dance Convention in 1998. Once again, the bill failed.

The issue again appeared in 2005, when Senator Walter Dalton of Rutherfordton urged the North Carolina senate to reclaim its heritage by adopting the shag as the state dance in retaliation of South Carolina doing similarly in 1984. Dalton accused South Carolina of making millions of dollars by stealing North Carolina’s historical dance and openly declared ‘war’ on South Carolina’s legislature. The bill, which also included clogging as the state folk dance, was passed 47 to 1 in the Senate and 101 to 7 in the House of Representatives.

About Clogging

Clogging (the name of which derives from the Gaelic word for "time") is the name of a distinctive dance style which originated in the Appalachian mountains. Settlers from Northern and Western Europe (such as Holland, Germany, and the British Isles) brought their respective folk dance traditions to the colonies, which were further shaped by Native American and African American dance influences. These influences all combined and evolved into a percussive "foot-tapping" style of dance now known as Clogging. In the 1920's, Bascom Lamar Lunsford added team clogging to the competitions held at his annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, thus helping to establish Clogging as a significant part of Appalachian cultural heritage.

Clogging is danced in time with music, with a heel move usually occurring on the downbeat in order to keep rhythm. Historically, clogging has also been called jigging, buck dancing, flat-footing, and back-stepping. Famous clog groups include the Soco Gap Dancers, who won the first Appalachian clog competition in the 1920’s and went on to perform for Eleanor Roosevelt and the Queen of England, and the modern clog group All That which placed second on the television program America’s Got Talent.

North Carolina Session Laws

Excerpt from SESSION LAW 2005-218

SENATE BILL 128

AN ACT ADOPTING OFFICIAL STATE DANCES.

 

Whereas, clogging and shagging are popular dances that have entertained both participants and spectators in this State for decades; and

Whereas, clogging is a traditional American folk dance that developed during the Colonial period in the Southern Appalachian mountains of the United States; and

Whereas, clogging has been influenced by European, African-American, and Native American folk dance traditions; and

Whereas, clogging is characterized by distinct, dignified, and beautiful footwork performed by individuals, couples, and groups; and

Whereas, a number of clogging events and competitions are held across the State each year; and...

Whereas, it is fitting to adopt clogging and shagging as official State dances; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 145-24. Official State dances.

(a)       Clogging is adopted as the official folk dance of North Carolina.

(b)       Shagging is adopted as the official popular dance of North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 13^th day of July, 2005.

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley
                                                                         Governor

Approved 2:06 p.m. this 20^th day of July, 2005