What is a Skank?

Skanking is a type of dance that has been popularized, especially by the ska and reggae genres, through unique steps and movements. The term, skanker, came about as a nickname for fans of ska and reggae music and dance that was most prominent in the 1970s. Skanking is often a peaceful expression of excitement and appreciation, but there is a darker side to the term. In more recent times, the term skank has been used as an offensive term to describe a woman who lacks good behavior and moral standards.

The Origin of Skanking

Skanking originated from ska and reggae music in the Caribbean. Especially popularized in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, and Kingston, Jamaica, skanking was used as a way for dancers to show excitement and appreciation for their favorite ska/reggae songs. Jamaica native, Prince Buster, is one of many credited with inventing skanking, but it was in the UK that the steps became visually recognizable. In the 1960s, the youth in the UK adopted the skanking movement and used it to express joy as a way to move away from the mod scene and rebellion against colonialism that was present in the country. Skanking was a joyful experience, as it was largely accompanied by music and no particular rules on how to perform the movements.

How Skanking has Evolved

While skanking was limited to the expression of joy in Jamaica and the UK in the1960s, it has now become a popular form of dance throughout the world, with motives increasingly divorced from its original foundations. The core steps of skanking remain the same, but new regional styles have emerged and developed over time.

Johnny O’Keefe, an Australian singer also known as “the King of Rock,” transformed skanking into a dance not only with his body but also with large props and objects. With recent events in the United States, skanking has become even more popular as a peaceful way to protest, with movements originating from the Caribbean, Africa, and Central and South America intertwined with each other to display unity.

The Problematic Connotations of Skank

Unfortunately, skanking is no longer predominantly associated with dance and music, but instead with promiscuity and lascivious behavior. The term “skank” is now commonly used to refer to someone — usually a woman — of dubious character and moral standing. The term is incredibly derogatory, discriminatory, and oppressive and should not be used under any circumstances.

It’s important to remember that skanking is a dance that was once associated only with joy and excitement, and that the original meaning of skank still exists today — only now it has been accepted by the mainstream. Skanking should be encouraged as a form of self-expression, and the negative connotation associated with the term “skank” should be put to rest.