Skanking is a form of dancing practiced in the ska, ska punk, hardcore punk, reggae, drum and bass and other music scenes. The dance style originated in the 1950s or 1960s at Jamaican dance halls, where ska music was played.
There are multiple theories about the origins of the word ska. Ernest Ranglin claimed I that the term was coined by musicians to refer to the “skat! skat! skat!” scratching guitar strum. Another explanation is that at a recording session in 1959 produced by Coxsone Dodd, double bassist Cluett Johnson instructed guitarist Ranglin to “play like ska, ska, ska”, although Ranglin has denied this, stating “Clue couldn’t tell me what to play!” A further theory is that it derives from Johnson’s word skavoovie, with which he was known to greet his friends. Jackie Mittoo insisted that the musicians called the rhythm Staya Staya, and that it was Byron Lee who introduced the term “ska”.Derrick Morgan said: “Guitar and piano making a ska sound, like ‘ska, ska”
In the early 1960s, ska was the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was popular with British mods, hard mods and with many skinheads.
Trojan skinheads, influenced by traditional 1960s skinhead culture, are named after Trojan Records, to stress the influence of black Jamaican music and the rude boy style to the skinhead subculture.
Motivated by social alienation and working-class solidarity, skinheads are defined by their close-cropped or shaven heads and working-class clothing such as Dr. Martens and steel toe work boots, braces, high rise and varying length straight-leg jeans, and button-down collar shirts, usually slim fitting in check or plane.
“The attraction of reggae for skinheads was the music’s infectious dance beat. The lyrics were never quite as important, not least because very few people could make out the words or understand the Jamaican slang. Desmond Dekker’s Israelites might have sold eight million copies worldwide, but ask a dozen people what the lyrics are and you’ll get a dozen different answers. Instrumental cuts and versions of vocal numbers were often just as popular because they had the all-important catchy tune.”
George Marshall – Spirit Of ’69 – A Skinhead Bible
This work is dedicated to:
The Magic of the First wave of Ska music
The Working class and outstanding British boots.
Darnell Rasp
Chain – silver plated copper
155 mm height
Mable Spool
Earrings – sterling silver
Skirt – wool
143 mm height
M.J.E. Crowbar
Cap – linen
142 mm height
Ceinwen Quinn Shaper
Earrings – brass
Skirt – wool
138 mm height
2023 – 2026