Beginning in 1619, Africans were ripped from their homelands and brought to America’s English colonies. Deprived of basic human freedoms, these enslaved people brought with them the dance beat of West Africa. These dances were characterized by isolated body movements that can be quite difficult to master. One of the earliest dances that demonstrated all of these characteristics was an amazing community social and spiritual dance known as the Ring Shout. Participants moved in a circle, providing rhythm by clapping their hands and stomping their feet. In addition, dances were divided into buck and wing dances, which formed the basis of every dance into the 21st century. Part of "The Genius of African-American Dance" series. Please note this title contains mature themes.