I am joining Comedy Plus’ Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
I'm a child of the 1960's. We had all kinds of weird dances including the Watusi. If I ever knew there was an animal called Watusi I forgot. In My Mind's Eye I recall dancing the Watusi very much like this arms out or bent at the elbow. Now I'm wondering if the arms up like this was supposed to be an imitation of this gorgeous set of horns May Belle has.
In the classic Watusi, the dancer is almost stationary with knees slightly bent, although may advance forward and back by one or two small rhythmic paces. The arms, with palms flat in line, are held almost straight, alternately flail up and down in the vertical. The head is kept in line with the upper torso but may bob slightly to accentuate the arm flailing. The dance, which became popular in the American surf/beach sub-culture of 1960s, may be enhanced if one imagines that ones feet are on sand.
That is a new one on us. I am worried Gail (who has absolutely no sense of rhythm) is going to start trying it out in the kitchen...
ReplyDeleteToodle pip!
Bertie.
that sure can be and it makes super sense, that the arms were the stand in's for the horns ;O)))
ReplyDeleteI googled Watusi and a type of cattle appeared called Ankole-Watusi, so perhaps that really is the reason!
ReplyDeleteMom never danced the watusi but she's heard of it. May belle is beautiful and the length of her horns is incredible!
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteAnkole-Watusi Longhorn cattle are an American adaptation in the same manner tyhe Indian Brahmin cattle have been 'adopted'. In Africa, various breeds of cattle were mixed through generations as humans moved across the African continent until the distinctive Sanga type was produced. Sanga cattle are the background type for many of the individual breeds now available. One of the oldest and definitely most exciting breeds of these cattle is most commonly referred to as Watusi. Also known as the Cattle of Kings, Ankole cattle and Royal Ox, this breed originated in eastern Africa, most commonly in the areas of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Lake Victoria and Tanganyika. The various members of this breed are often named for the tribe that raises them or are classified by the area in which they are raised; Watusi, for the Tutsi tribes of Rwanda and Burundi; Ankole, Bahima, Bashi and Kigezi and Kivu... read a complete historical summary HERE.
As for the dance - more likely related to the tribal dancing than the cattle of those tribes - though that said, the cattle made their first appearance in USA in the early 60s, so that could have been the trigger for the hit song which generated the dance move (in the same 'Come and do The Twist' did). In fact the lyrics diss other dance types and suggest much more up close and personal, despite the dance that actually evolved...
Wah, wah-a Watusi
See'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance
Wah, wah-a Watusi
Oh, baby, it's the dance made-a for romance (shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Baby, baby, when you do The Twist
Never, never do you get yourself kissed
'Cause you're always dancin' far apart
The Watusi, girl, is-a really smart
Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi
See'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance (shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Baby, baby, when you do The Fly
Your arms are wasted wavin' in the sky
Come on and hold me like a lover should
The Watusi makes you feel so good
Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi
Oh, baby, it's the dance made-a for romance
Yay!!
Well, I had fun with that dance and need a lie down in a darkened room now!!! Thanks for triggering this with that picture of gorgeous May Belle!!! YAM xx
Well, that is some really interesting stuff about May Belle. And the dance does sound like fun. I have heard of the Watusi. Anyway, you all have a fantastic day.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny. I just saw Watusi cows at a Safari Ride with the family.
ReplyDeleteHowdy May Belle! Hey, my Dad can dance the walrus!
ReplyDeleteMaybelle is wonderful and I would love to see those maybeline eyes.. cows eyes melt my heart. wow on 8 foot horns extreme long horn cattle. I have not heard of the watusi dance but seems I am the only one that has not.
ReplyDeleteThose sure are some long horns on that cow. Our mom is a little too young to have done that dance but she's heard of it. We would love to see a video of you recreating the dance for us.
ReplyDeleteThat's a funny dance! Momma mostly just flails around. It's even sillier looking.
ReplyDeleteHow fun. I remember that dance and as old as I am I've danced the Watusi.
ReplyDeleteI linked this post to Happy Tuesday.
Have a fabulous day. Big hug. ♥
Oh yes we remember!
ReplyDeleteThat was nice of May Belle to pose for you. I remember the Watusi!
ReplyDeleteThose are some serious horns! Are you sure she isn't a Texan? LOL! I remember the watusi and think your theory on the arms could be spot on!
ReplyDeleteMom remembers the song about the Watusi, but she doesn't think she ever mastered the steps. Maybe she can get the grandgirls to help her:)
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
May Belle is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty certain that I never 'Watusi'd', but I know how to do The Bump!
What a fun memory...I loved to watch them dance the Watusi on all the "Beach Blanket.." movies of the 60s!
ReplyDeleteMay Belle is an adorable gal!
I remember the Watusi...the dance, not the animal. Looks like it'll give the Texan long horn a run for its money.
ReplyDeletewhoa.....that's one cow no one will mess with that's for sure....and what about the "pony" and the "swim " ...the "hitch hike" !!!!! ☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteI remember the song more than I do the dance. Mashed potatoes is on I could dance...and locomotion. rofl
ReplyDeleteI remember the song more than I do the dance. Mashed potatoes is on I could dance...and locomotion. rofl
ReplyDeleteFirst video we clicked wasn't anything like what you describe. So we tried another. youtube.com/watch?v=4OU_Ppxgs9Q Very interesting to watch two humans dance the watusi to The Lion Sleeps Tonight. We finally realized we'd somehow opened two videos at the same time and the louder one won. :) BTW, Jan remembers the watusi.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a big set of horns that Miss Watusi has!! Mom remembers the watusi lOL
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
I LOVE learning!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are big horns. Pam and I had a hug for you today :) XO
ReplyDeleteVery nice description of the dance! I grew up more in the 70's and high school in the 80's but I remember seeing that dance on TV! Love American Style - remember that show?!
ReplyDeleteGosh! I remember the Watusi! Us old flower children had some GREAT moves! Do you remember the Hitch Hiker and the Frug?
ReplyDeleteLove Barb
Mom says the Watusi was a touch before her time. She was more a child of the 80s.
ReplyDeleteOMC Mom remembers the Watusi! Thanks for the memory!
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids
Looks kinda like our Texas longhorns!
ReplyDeleteIt's odd I never heard of this dance - or this type of cattle. Thanks for the education. P.S. I also enjoyed YAM-Aunty's comment.
ReplyDeleteWow! That was very interesting to know!
ReplyDeleteThis is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
ReplyDeleteJudi Online Terpercaya