Pirates Go Viral with "Jerusalema"

Have you heard of the Jerusalema Dance Challenge that went viral last year? It's a line dance to the gospel-influenced house song "Jerusalema" by South African DJ and producer Master KG featuring Nomcebo on vocals. Groups of people the world over participated in the challenge that started in Africa and spread to places like Vietnam, Austria and Jerusalem itself. Even the Irish and Swiss Police force, Domincan nuns in Spain and, more recently, our own Saint Edwards School students, faculty and staff participated. In Africa, as with other parts of the world, ceremonial dance tells a story. More than mere entertainment, it recounts history, conveys emotion, celebrates rites of passage, and helps to unify communities. The dance steps seen in the Jerusalema Dance Challenge come from dances typically done at South African weddings. It all began in February 2020, when a group of friends in Angola filmed themselves performing the line dance to the Jerusalema song, and it went viral, giving the song worldwide popularity. Thank you, Mrs. Omawale, for sharing your idea, and to the entire cast and crew for creating a joyful bookend to Black History Month.