Pata Pata South African Line Dance

A popular South African dance done in lines, all facing forward, with a 16-count sequence: toe touches, heel and toe swivels, a knee lift with a clap under it, a kick and a quarter turn. Students work on rhythm, footwork coordination and remembering a short sequence.

How to play

1. "Pata pata" means "touch, touch" in Xhosa, and the dance became famous in South Africa; staggered lines facing the teacher (2 min).
2. Counts 1-4: right toe touch to the side and close, left toe touch and close (2 min).
3. Counts 5-8: feet together, swivel heels out, toes out, heels in, toes in (3 min).
4. Counts 9-16: lift the right knee with a clap under it, soft kick, three steps back and a quarter turn left (4 min).
5. Link all 16 counts with music while counting aloud; after each turn, face a new wall (5 min).
6. Add free-style arms; volunteers can lead a repetition from the front (2 min).

Rules

• Keep an arm's length between classmates so nobody gets kicked.
• Kicks are low and soft, always forward.
• Everyone turns at the same time in the same direction.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair does the sequence with hands (taps on the knees, opening and closing arms) and turns the chair a quarter on count 16.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher shows the count number with fingers, and the student stands in the front row.
• Skill level: students who struggle with heel-toe swivels can do a small knee bounce for that part.

Learning goals

• Perform a 16-count step sequence to the beat of the music.
• Coordinate footwork with claps and turns.
• Learn about a popular South African dance and its roots.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1

Teacher tip

Teach with your back to the class or mirror the moves so students don't mix up sides. The heel-toe part is tricky, so practice it standing still while chanting the rhythm before adding music.

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