The
History of the Kane
Why
Kappa’s Have Canes
The use of walking sticks and canes may very
well date back to centuries B.C. to the times when shepherds would tend to their
flocks. This ties into the early roots of Christianity and leads to the
candy canes of today being striped the way they are (3 thin stripes and 1 solid
stripe) to remind us of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and the blood of Christ.
The shape was believed to be chosen because the cane, if pointed upward,
resembles the letter "J" for Jesus. The history of the cane also
ties in with the African Rights of Passage, and was a symbol of manhood that had
to be carried by initiates wishing to become adult members of their respective
tribe.
Dealing more directly with the
evolution of the cane and how it relates to the Fraternity, canes started off as
assistive devices, and later turned into social status symbols for society.
In the 1700's and 1800's, canes were a fashion embellishment. One
"wore" a cane. These old canes were decorative, objects to be admired
and be proud of. They became collector’s items and represented the true sign
of a Gentleman.
Members of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity have always worn or carried canes since the beginning of the
Fraternity in 1911. Although unintentional in its inception, this
occurrence soon became an unofficial tradition of Kappa men, as Kappa’s have
always strived to be noble and productive members of the community.
Members of the Fraternity then proudly adorned the cane, being the symbol of a
Gentleman who exhibits such characteristics.
Earlier
in the 20th century, new initiates of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc
in Tennessee can be seen carrying their
canes
This
type of display became commonplace up until the 1950's when Black Greek Letter
Organizations, on an undergraduate level, began to practice what is known today
as "Step Shows". Undergraduate members of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity took part in the trade and soon incorporated the use of their
favorite item, the cane, into the routine. This was something that spread
to many undergraduate chapters during the 50's and 60's. Stepping was
catching on at an accelerated rate among the African American fraternities and
sororities during this time period.
It
was not until the mid to later 1960's that the undergrads of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity began to decorate the step canes with the colors of the organization.
The usual design was to pattern the cane with a crimson and a cream stripe from
tip to tip which can be made out below in the photo.
New
initiates of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc,
Alpha Delta Chapter at Fisk University
in 1968.
Despite this Black & White photo,
notice the
patterned stripe of the canes.
All
throughout the 50's and 60's, canes used in the art of stepping were standard
canes of approximately 36 inches in length, give or take half a foot.
Eventually, as stated before, the canes would be adorned with the Fraternity
colors of crimson and cream, but they were still standard length. Members
of Kappa Alpha Psi would perform routines know as "Taps" where the
canes would be beaten on the ground in time with the rhythmic beat of the step
show.
The turn of the decade would reveal
an evolution in cane stepping known today as "twirling".
Undergraduate members of Kappa Alpha Psi in the 70's, not content with Taps
alone, would then create a new form of cane mastery which involved much more
skill and talent than merely banging the cane on the ground in a certain beat.
During
the 70's, members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. began to "twirl"
canes.
On the left, the Traditional
"Tap" is performed.
On the right, the new "twirl"
is performed.
Now
that "twirling" had become the new style of cane stepping among Kappa
undergrads, members were constantly searching for better and faster styles.
One problem that Kappa’s faced during this time is that they were still
practicing the step show routines using the standard sized, 3 foot canes which
can be seen above in both photographs. Kappa’s widely found that while
standard length canes worked fine for tapping, they became a hindrance when it
came time to twirl. Thus, cane stepping evolved once again with the birth
of the short cane, which can be seen below.
Members
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. twirling short canes in 1978.
This
new evolution of the short cane during the later 1970's has remained constant to
this day, as can be seen in this recent photo of Kappa’s stepping.
Members
of the Kappa Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc
perform a step show at the University of
Memphis in 1999
Note that the average cane is about knee
high (app. 2 feet)
Thus,
the full-length cane, as well as standing straight up in order to perform a
"Tap", has been sacrificed, making way for twirling ability and speed.
Backtracking for a moment, a very
important part in cane stepping history was the acceptance of this trade by the
Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. All the
aforementioned events have involved the undergraduate members of the Fraternity.
However, cane stepping, even from its beginnings during the 1950's, has not been
considered an official part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. until as of
late. The National Organization was slow to accept this as an official
part of the Fraternity, even though undergraduate members, across the entire
United States, were widely participating in the art and tradition of cane
stepping.
These excerpts from The
Story of Kappa Alpha Psi tell the National Organization's viewpoint
concerning the whole cane stepping issue:
"Although cane stepping had become
one of the most popular and well-attended activities on college campuses
throughout the country, Kappa Alpha Psi was slow to accept this form of
entertainment as a national activity. Earlier, Senior Grand Vice Polemarch
Ulysses McBride had complained in the Journal
about the vulgar language and obscene gestures sometimes engaged in by
cane-stepping participants. Many complained of the profanity woven into
the chants of the steppers and condemned what they considered 'lewd and sexually
suggestive gestures that accompany some routines.' Critics further
contended that the hours spent in step practices by chapters each week would be
better devoted to academic or civic achievement. 'I think it's more important to
honor scholastic achievement. I think the attention given to stepping
should be placed into developing an honor roll or to recognize a group of Kappa
scholars,' was the opinion of Arthur Grist, a member of the East St. Louis
Alumni Chapter and adviser to the Zeta Pi Chapter at Southern Illinois
University.
The Journal reported: 'what is
undeniable, however, is the widespread popularity that stepping has attained.
The avid attraction at college to stepping has caused shows to be propelled from
mere performances in the school dance hall to such prominent forums as
homecoming celebrations, civic auditoriums and fraternity province meetings.
Step shows have become events that are frequently attended by parents and
relatives of collegians.'
The Fraternity succumbed to the pressure and during the 66th Grand Chapter
meeting in Washington D.C. (in 1986 - 75 years after the founding of the
Fraternity), cane stepping was programmed as an official item on the Grand
Chapter agenda.
Cane stepping became an official part of [Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at
the 66th Grand Chapter meeting in 1986] and a dazzling competition was held in
front of hundreds of onlookers during a picnic in Washington's Rock Creek Park
to illustrate the skills of the trade. Several groups participated,
performing frenzied and entertaining steps."
Members
of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
perform in 1986 during the 66th Grand
Chapter
Now that the National Organization of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated openly embraced cane stepping, publicity of the old tradition was gaining and many television shows, T.V. commercials, and music video artists sought out to display Kappa’s stepping in their respective forums. One of the first national airings came about on February 2nd, 1989 when NBC chose members of Kappa Alpha Psi to perform a step routine on the Black college sitcom "A Different World". Later, members of Kappa Alpha Psi could be found stepping in Brother Montell Jordan's remix of "This is How We Do It" in the summer of 1996. Also airing in the summer of 1996 was another display of Kappa’s stepping in an episode of Fox’s "New York Undercover".
Kappas
were again called upon to perform in song stress in OJ's music video "Love
You Down" which ran in the spring of 1997. WB's sitcom "Sister
Sister" ran an episode that focused on college fraternities in the spring
of 1999, and members of Kappa Alpha Psi were chosen to perform the stepping
segment. Other music videos that feature members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
are "Woof!" by rapper Snoop Doggy Dog which ran in the spring of 1999,
"Imma Shine" by Mia X which ran in the summer of 1999 and "Whoa
Now" by B. Rich, this video featured brothers from the Baltimore, MD
chapters
In konclusion, the tradition of the Kappa Kane has a longstanding history that reaches back as far the the history of the cane itself, and sweeps forward with the introduction of Black Greek Letter Organization step shows, cane stepping, cane tapping, kane twirling, and finally the acceptance of this tradition as an official and integrated part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. which truly sets it apart from any other organization of its type.