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Tafadzwa Zimoyo : Lifestyle Writer
Back in the days, weddings were simple. Get a white dress; make sure the groom shows up on time to wait for his bride; have your rings and order a cake big enough for the guests. There was no rush or buzz of having a professional wedding planner. The most outstanding person was the choreographer for the bridal team. So much time would be spent practicing simple wedding dances that were known as “steps” because the concentration was mainly on movement of feet with a little touching of hands and “go rounds” here and there.
The bride and the groom rarely danced. They would simply walk hand-in-hand as female relatives spread their African wrappers (mazambia) in front of the couple to step on.
Songs that were sung usually focused on the bride and tunes like “Tauya naye nemagumbeze” which were popular.
Those who wanted to tease the couple would offer money as a way of asking them to dance and, in most cases, other guests would come up with higher amounts to stop the new couple from going on the dance floor.
With the passage of time, the wedding styles changed and the bride and the groom also learnt a few dances with the bridal team, but their participation was limited. The bridal team went beyond the “steps” to perform fast dances and with fast music in background.
In most cases the bride maintained her role of “muroora” being shy and playing Cinderella. The wedding couple would have a few dances that were mainly confined to swaying.
Then there was a sudden change. Things seem to be moving faster and choreography seems to change with each wedding.
The bride who used to be shy and reserved as a sign of respecting her in-laws has suddenly become a flexible dancer while the groom seems to practice serious physical moves prior to the wedding.
The bridal teams have even gone a level higher and it now appears as if their selection is based on flexibility of feet and waists.
Wedding dances are no longer routine styles and some of them have actually gone wild. Some brides can now “twerk” and gyrate carelessly while their grooms can even go for somersaults to express their joy and happiness.
Many videos of wild wedding dances have gone viral on social media networks and couples seem to be competing for the best dancers’ award.
According to one dancing coach, “Dancing is really about doing whatever movement that brings you joy, but some people want to make sure they look good when they boogie down”.
The songs played at weddings are no longer about celebrating the couple, but being danceable in the energetic moves.
Nigerian musicians such as Davido, Iyanya and P Square among others are topping the list of selections with bridal teams trying to imitate the musicians’ routines.
Looking at social media, those in Diaspora are embracing the new trend, with their wedding dances going viral. Imagine, a wedding where the couple goes an extra mile of dressing down the wedding gear into funny outfits.
Are we losing our culture or it is simply a case of revolutionising the concept of wedding choreography?
Have the wedding dances gone wrong or it is a matter of changing standards?
Locally the “wild” is spreading swiftly in those down-town weddings while those from upmarket are still maintaining the classic feel.
Only the bride and groom will display those wild and weird dances.
By the way, don’t blame the choreographer or coach because now the couples are not shy to flex the waist.
In an interview with Saturday Herald Lifestyle, popular dancer and choreographer John Cole said the new trend of wild dances at weddings is somehow amazing, but shocking at the same time.
“Music has changed so as times and dances. Weddings too have changed. Long ago our culture or traditions have held us back in many senses. Weddings are built on celebrations and dance is one of them and I feel it’s necessary to embark on it as dance is universal for all ages and with the release of popular music and new age of social media, a lot has changed about wedding choreography,” he said.
Cole who said has coached over 100 weddings said he has seen it all.
“As choreographers we ensure people enjoy the dances with whips ‘nae nae shokis jpops’ styles. I am a wedding specialist. However, many dances are based on what the clients need and as much as most people think it’s ratchet. Wedding teams and guests love the good stuff at weddings so we take time on television see how best we can modify dances suiting the wedding,” said Cole.
Nathan Gutu of Chitungwiza a master of ceremony and wedding dance coach said back in the day the bride and groom focused much on the rings but now it is about the dances.
“I love the change rather than the movement. Dancing now has become part of the expression of how one is feeling about their day. The bride and the groom like always are the centre of attraction for that day. Dances are now more important than the cake, just that it has become too much with how they flex it. I was at some wedding where they even ‘twerked’ which was fine because it depends with the songs being played.
“It is important you choose the right music. You can create the perfect soundtrack to your big day with your dance moves because it is once-in-a-lifetime event,” he said.
There is a statement that says ‘a couple that dances together, stays together’.
Recently a couple from United Kingdom Hollie and Dave Smith caused a stir with their wedding dances on social media which have gone viral with almost a million views.
The couple stole everyone’s hearts with their amazingly choreographed medley of hit songs for their first dance at their wedding earlier this month.
Their dance started out very traditional, but suddenly broke out into a choreographed hip-hop medley that had everyone’s heads turning.
Hollie’s bridesmaids even got in on the “bootylicious” action dancing to Beyonce which was a bit rare back in the days. Of course, conservatives will argue that weddings should maintain a high level of decency but today’s couples seem determined to celebrate their big days with any dance style they can imagine.
Online Reporter