Farmer Dance: How to Do This House Dance Move (African Roots)

The Farmer - Hip Hop's Homage to African Dance Heritage

Embark on a rhythmic journey through the heart of cultural fusion with the Hip Hop house dance move known as the "Farmer." This move is not merely a set of steps but a bridge connecting the vibrant energy of Hip Hop with the deep traditions of African dance. As dancers master the Farmer, they tap into a beat that reverberates through time and heritage, uniting continents and communities on the dance floor.

Video Demonstration

Dance History of The Farmer

The Farmer is a testament to Hip Hop's rich tradition of drawing from diverse cultural wells. Hip Hop as a whole has been influenced by various global dances, but the conversation within the Hip Hop house community points specifically to an ancestral connection with an African dance move that shares its name and essence. The historical African Farmer move, rooted in agricultural life, is celebrated through engaging, ground-oriented movements that mirror the act of sowing seeds, a vital part of African community life.

Hip Hop house dancers, upon observing the similarities and recognizing the cultural significance of this African move, have embraced the name the "Farmer" in an act of respect. This is a reflection of the culture's broader practice of honoring its foundational elements and showing appreciation for the art forms that have shaped its identity.

Step By Step Instruction

1. Starting Position: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, body relaxed and ready to move.

2. The Jump: Hop to your right and lift the left knee simultaneously.

3. The Landing: After the hop, bring your left foot back down while keeping your weight on your right foot.

4. The Switch: Switch your direction to your left and repeat instruction from the jump and now it’s to the left.

5. Repeat: Continue the sequence, adding in your style, such as arm movements or additional turns, to personalize your Farmer dance.

Tips For Learning The Farmer

• Feel the rhythm first. Before perfecting movements, ensure you connect with the music’s beat.

• Maintain a relaxed posture to allow for fluid movement.

• Remember the Farmer is a social and expressive dance move, so engage with others or your surroundings as you practice.

Conclusion

The Farmer move in Hip Hop house is a vibrant example of dance evolution and the importance of cultural legacy within the art form. As dancers incorporate this move into their repertoire, they're not only learning new steps but participating in a ritual that honors the contributions of African dance to the global dance scene. The Farmer is Hip Hop house's tribute to those who originally cultivated the land with their hands and hearts, and now through the modern tapestry of this unique cultural expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Farmer dance?

The Farmer is a hip hop house dance move built on lateral hops paired with opposite-knee lifts, you hop to one side while lifting the opposite knee, then reverse. It's rooted in an African dance of the same name that mimics the motion of sowing seeds, and hip hop house dancers adopted it as a cultural tribute to African dance tradition.

Where did the Farmer dance come from?

The Farmer's roots are in traditional African dance, specifically a move that depicts agricultural labor as a celebration of community life. Hip hop house dancers in the late 1980s and 1990s recognized the connection and adopted the move, keeping the original name as an act of respect. The move lives in both house dance and pan-African dance traditions today.

Is the Farmer dance house or hip hop?

Both, it sits squarely in the overlap between house dance and hip hop. It's most commonly taught as a house dance move because it fits house music's 4-on-the-floor rhythm, but it gets used in hip hop freestyle too. The African origins predate both genres, making it a shared cultural inheritance.

How long does it take to learn the Farmer dance?

Most beginners can get the basic hop-and-knee pattern in 5-10 minutes. Syncing the hop with the opposite knee lift (a classic coordination challenge) takes 20-30 minutes. Making it look grounded and rhythmic instead of jumpy takes a few practice sessions, the move rewards relaxed, connected movement over explosive hops.

What's the most common Farmer dance mistake?

Lifting the knee too high. The Farmer is a subtle, grounded move, the knee lift should feel natural and relaxed, not like a karate kick. Keep the knee low, let the hop be small and rhythmic, and focus on the connection between the hop and the opposite knee lift. Ground beats air every time.

More Hip Hop Dance Moves

If you liked the Farmer, these moves share the same hip-hop house foundation and lateral hop-and-knee footwork pattern:

• 5 Easy Steps to Master The Dolphin Dive, the Dolphin Dive is also rooted in hip-hop house dance and requires the same grounded, rhythmically active lower body the Farmer uses for its hop-and-land sequence.
• House Dance | Loose Leg, as one of the most foundational house dance moves, the Loose Leg builds the heel-toe weight control that makes the Farmer's lateral hops feel smooth and natural.
• How to Do the Scribble Foot Dance Move, the Scribble Foot shares the Farmer's house dance lineage and develops the foot precision that helps dancers add complexity to the Farmer's basic hop pattern.
• 6 Simple Steps To Learn The Happy Feet, Happy Feet uses the same alternating hop-and-kick footwork as the Farmer, making both moves feel rhythmically interchangeable when freestyling.