Toyi-toyi is aSouthern Africandance used in politicalprotests inSouth Africa.[1]
Toyi-toyi could begin as the stomping of feet and spontaneous chanting during protests that could include political slogans or songs, either improvised or previously created.
Toyi-toyi was often used for intimidating the South African police and security forces during anti-apartheid demonstrations. The toyi-toyi was also used with chants such as theAfrican National Congress's "Amandla" ("power") and "Awethu" ("ours") or thePan African Congress's "One Settler, One Bullet".
After the 1976Soweto massacre, theanti-apartheid movement became more militant. The toyi-toyi, a military march dance and song style became commonplace in massive street demonstrations. As one activist puts it, "The toyi-toyi was our weapon. We did not have the technology of warfare, the tear gas and tanks, but we had this weapon."[2]
After Apartheid ended, people have used toyi-toyi to express their grievances against current government policies. Use of the dance has become very popular duringservice delivery protests and amongtrade unions.[3][4] The Anti-Privatisation Forum has come out with a CD that they see as a compilation of music specially for toyi-toying.[5]
The UK band,UB40, incorporated the "Amandla, Awethu" chant intoSing Our Own Song from the 1986 albumRat In The Kitchen.
In October 2004Robert Mugabe ofZimbabwe banned toyi-toyi even indoors because of its use as a protest.[6]
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