Abstract

Clog dancing grew from the heritage of Appalachia. It is one of the few recognizable activities that are inherently Appalachian. The current research has looks at the idea of clog dancing preserving the heritage of Appalachia. This research analyzes the Appalachian stigma, clogging’s relationship to Appalachia, various forms of clog dancing, and the motivations behind competition in order to assess clog dancing being used to preserve heritage. The present research completed through the interviewing of clogging instructors gives a more solidified idea of the clogging communities intentions. The research shows clogging can be used to promote Appalachian heritage and that the modernization of competition clogging does not ultimately dispute that. Suggestions for the continuation of clogging and thus the Appalachian heritage include presenting clogging as an art and promoting accurate and recurrent depictions in mass media. The idea that clog dancing in competition versus recreation arenas have diverse intention of Appalachian expression and therefore in maintaining the heritage is rejected as the clog dance in any form promotes heritage merely with varied prerogatives. Evolution of dance is inevitable and it is foolish to think clog dance can continue to stay relevant without changes. The underlying concept of clogging has always been about accepting changes. The dance was birthed on a melting pot of other dance styles and it will continue to incorporate other dance styles, such is its tradition. It would be wrong to deny validity to any shape of clogging because of the ambiguous nature of the dance.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 2020

Mentor

David Afsah-Mohallatee

Mentor Department Affiliation

Art and Design

Access Options

Restricted Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Art and Design

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