Kota Ito (AKA @kota__from__Japan) came to South Africa with the intention of improving his English, even going the extra mile to learn some Afrikaans and isiXhosa as well.
Documenting his journey on social media, Kota’s most recent endeavour to immerse himself in South African culture is learning how to sokkie (to ‘Kaptein’ by Kurt Darren, natuurlik).
Also read: Watch: Kota from Japan takes on Afrikaans and Xhosa
Sokkie is a South African dance style characterised by quick, lively footwork and upbeat music.
The term ‘sokkie’ is derived from the Afrikaans word ‘sok’, which means ‘sock.’ The name comes from the fact that the dance is often performed barefoot or in socks, with the dancers using their feet to create intricate footwork patterns.
Sokkie is usually danced to a variety of music genres, such as pop, rock and traditional South African music like kwaito and Afrikaans music.
Depending on the music, the dance steps can vary, but they typically involve quick side-to-side steps, spins and hops.
Sokkie has become an important part of South African culture, and it is frequently regarded as a symbol of national pride. It is taught in dance studios and is popular among people of all ages, ranging from teenagers to seniors.
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Also read:
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Picture: @kota__from__japan / Instagram