Samoan Slap Dance at Merrie Monarch Ho'ike 2009

Here's some information about the Samoan Slap dance from

http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Samoan-Fa%27ataupati-%28Slap-Dance%29
How to Do the Samoan Fa'ataupati (Slap Dance)

originated by:Jon, Travis Derouin, Anonymous, Sondra C (etcl)

(retrieved 3/2/2010)

The fa'ataupati, (pronounced: "pha.cow.paké") sometimes called the "Samoan slap dance," is one of the most fun and energetic dances in the world. The origins of the slap dance are not clear, but it appears that it was either developed in Samoa or introduced there in the 1800s. The dance is traditionally performed only by men

Steps

1. Put on your lavalava. The lavalava is a simple rectangular cloth worn like a skirt or kilt. It is similar to a sarong.
2 Take off your shirt. The dance is traditionally performed shirtless. Of course, it's also usually performed by men.

3. Get in position. The fa'ataupati is usually performed by several dancers in one or two rows. The dancers line up side-by-side, and they stand close to each other, facing the audience. Place your feet apart in a wide (at least shoulder-width) stance, and bend your knees slightly. Traditionally, the dancer of highest status occupies the center position. In some modern versions, the leader of the group will stand in front of a row of dancers.4Stay together. The dancers typically perform all their motions in unison, and the timing has to be perfect because if it's not, the audience will see and hear the error. The synchronized movements of several dancers is an amazing sight to behold.

5. Make your own rhythm. Historically, the fa'ataupati is unaccompanied by any instruments, so the dancers make their own music. The feet are pounded down, either individually or, frequently, together in a "hopping" motion. This creates the rhythm for the music, and when several dancers are jumping in unison it can sound like the thumping of a large bass drum. One of the most common moves is to jump backward or forward, moving both feet at the same time. Keep the feet apart and your knees bent when you do this. Side-to-side movement is also common, but generally the dancers stay in the line.

6. Slap yourself. As your feet create the rhythm, slap out the rest of dance with your hands and arms. The slapping can also be used as a response to the call of the pounding of the dancers' feet. The "pati" in fa'ataupati is the Samoan word for a clap in which the palms are brought together parallel to each other, and the slapping of the hands on the rest of the body is supposed to mimic this sound. Quickly slap your chest, arms, and legs with your hands, and slap the insides of your arms against your sides. Clap your hands together, as well. The art of the dance lies in the chosen sequence of the slaps, and traditionally each routine is carefully choreographed. The slaps should be fast and crisp, and the sound should be loud and clear.

7. Follow the leader. Even if you don't know the routine, you can try to just follow the leader of the group, as usually everybody does the same motions at the same time. Slap dancing is typically very fast, though, so you'll need to have lightning quick reflexes.

Tips- The fa'ataupati is very intense and exhausting, and the slapping can also start to hurt pretty quickly, so the dancing usually lasts only a minute or so.