Welsh stepdance

Clog dancing in Wales originates mostly from slate quarries and farmers also. Workers would attempt to out-perform each other during work breaks by performing more extravagant and striking "steps" and "tricks" to impress their co-workers. The slate that was produced in the quarries could be used as a platform to clog dance and slate is still used even today in Eisteddfod competitions.[3]

Typically clog dancers prefer ash wood because it gives a clearer and more crisp sound however, these are also the least hardwearing. Clog dancing is the only unbroken dancing tradition in Wales following the discouragement of other forms of dance during the religious revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries. Stable lofts, taverns and fairs were also popular environments for clog dancing and competitive clog dancing, with the winners typically being men who performed steps or tricks which could not be replicated by others. There may have been a period where the step dance and the trick dance were separate competitions however in modern competition they are performed as one dance or routine which typically includes a handkerchief, broom and candle. It is likely that clog dancing survived with an unbroken tradition because it was easier to continue dancing as an individual on the hearth or stable loft. The travelling community in Wales are also associated with maintaining the tradition. The middle of the 20th century saw the revival of interest in clog dancing and significant dancing figures emerged such as Hywel Wood who was a traveller from Parc near Bala and another dancer named Caradog Pugh hailing from Llanuwchlyn. There are only occasional references to women dancing in literature. Huw Williams, a recent clog-dancing figure suggests that Welsh clog dancers pass on their skills by observation and emulation. Steps also have their own name although these can vary by individual and area.[2]