Demand for limbo in TT

In the case of limbo dancing (which is indigenous to this country), this art has taken off and it is now a part of the entertainment packages in Caribbean shows in the US and other West Indian islands. As a product of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy competition and a senior member of the Malick Folk Performers, Stoute Robinson has mastered the art and is now involved in teaching limbo and African dance to secondary school students. She has been involved in choreographing shows in Miami and New York, in recent times.

There are many young people of various ethnic background who are now coming forward to learn the art of limbo in the US.

“As a child growing up in Barataria, I was drawn to dance.

I could not resist the sound of the drums and through the years I was able to master many styles of African dancing that are popular in Best Village,” she said.

Stoute Brown is now encouraging young people to use their vacation time wisely learning different dances, music and vocals that are available here. She noted that Best Village provides the perfect forum for young and old to get involved.

At present many villages are involved in Best Village competition since the sports and handicraft segments are now being judged. Talking about the genesis of limbo dancing Stoute Robinson said that way back in the ’60s African dancers used the stick as a prop. It was also used as a weapon in fights.

The stick was then held horizontally allowing dancers to bend low, which showed the dancers’ flexibility.

The various villages soon began competing to find the most flexible among dancers. “Like ballet, dancers started training for this painstaking exercise from an early age.

And today we have limbo dancers who started at age four and five and are perfect as teenagers,” she said.

Stoute Robinson said the word “limbo” was used to denote a form of dance which only dates back to the 1950s, however, limbo is a West Indian English derivative of “limber”.

“Limber” is a sixteenth century word used in the dialectical sense to refer to a cart shaft, alluding to its to and fro motion.

“Consistent with certain African beliefs, the dance reflects the whole cycle of life,” Stoute Robinson said.

Noting that dancers move under a pole which is gradually lowered from chest level, emerging on the other side, as their heads clear the pole, signaling triumph of life over death.

Interestingly in the animated series Futurama (set in the 31st century) humorously predicts that limbo will eventually become an Olympic event. One of its key characters, Hermes Conrad, experienced competing at this level as a representative of Earth.

In the pilot of the animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, the Grim Reaper challenges Billy and Mandy to a game of limbo with the soul of Billy’s pet hamster on the line.

While people are only now discovering the art of limbo dancing US-based, Chubby Checker released the song “Limbo Rock” way back in 1962.