Stepping and Strolling
The history of stepping dates back to the times of the indigenous Caribbean and African tribes. It is known that these cultures would usually step-dance at festivals, feasts, celebrations, and ceremonies.
Centuries later, when the African and Caribbean natives were invaded and enslaved by the conquistadors, slaves were prohibited by their masters from communicating in their own language for fear that they would be plotting their escape. Stepping, making beats with one's hands and feet, became one of the only forms of communication that slaves had.
Since the late 1990s, our brothers have performed in step and stroll shows at numerous colleges and universities. However, no single team was ever recognized as a national team. This changed when eight brothers from five different chapters ushered in the new millennium by dedicating their time and energy to form our first National Step Team and National Stroll Team. Since then, we have continued making history as the 1st Latino-based fraternity to compete against the historically black Greek-letter organizations in 2002 and also to win in the nationally known step show Step Correct in 2014. Between 2004-2012, Lambda Sigma Upsilon won 7 championship titles competing in the National Stroll Tournament "Silk & Smooth" and has rightfully earned the title as "The Kings of Stroll."
Black fraternities and sororities introduced the modern tradition of stepping, or "stomping the yard," around the time of the civil rights movement. It evolved from the "Greek Sings" that were popular amongst fraternities during the early-1900s and were performed as a way of showing pride for the organization. Strolling also became popularized by these historically Black organizations during the early 20th century when members would dance in synchronous with other pledge classmates, or "line-brothers," as a way of reflecting their pledge class unity.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon is the first Latino-based Fraternity to promote the art of stepping and strolling. To us, it is historically and culturally relevant and it allows us to pay homage to our Indigenous and African ancestry. Our performances provide a forum for the community to better understand the unique history and traditions of our culturally rooted brotherhood.
