“Preserving Cultural Traditions: In Defense of Dap”

In the early fall of , childhood friends Le’Greg Harrison and William Carter Jr. exchanged their greeting in a unique fashion; extending their right hands in opposite directions before bringing them together with an emphatic sound. They beamed with delight as they approached for an embracing hug. It was a display of closeness, even intimacy, that was felt by all present. The emotion evoked was highly contagious. This greeting was much more than a regular handshake, but not quite a bro hug either; it was simply dap. This inspired Rhonda Henderson and Aaron Stallworth, the co-creators of The Dap Project, to contemplate the significance of this sacred embrace.

The exchange of ‘dap’, an intricate form of greeting specific to the African-American community, is a gesture of paramount importance. Our cultural traditions and methods of communication are deserving of both analysis and conservation. Although various external factors may lead to disruption of community ties, aspects such as dap, recipes and family names can survive through the ages. It is believed that the origin of dap derives from the Vietnam War, during which Black men customarily demonstrated their solidarity by raising their fists – ‘the power’ – in recognition of the powerful movement of Black Power. Sadly, it appears that White Supremacy is an elusive concept with no end in sight.

It is prohibited to greet one another in this fashion. As such, the traditional handshake developed into a more complex yet profound form of salutation. Within African diaspora in particular, these rituals have an extensive heritage. In “Diasporic Salutations and the West African Origins of the ‘Dap,'” Tyler Parry elucidates that European traders observed ritualistic salutations among men in Sierra Leone characterized by shaking hands along with snapping fingers or thumbs. The dap has since traversed the United States and throughout the world and assumed many forms within melanin-endowed individuals. It typically consists of a loud clapping of hands followed by a firm grip and a pull away.

The “Dap” is a culturally significant gesture that is an expression of respect and intimacy shared between two individuals. It can take the form of a four-fingered shake, shoulder lean-in, and back slap, all of which carry a level of understanding and appreciation distinct to African Americans. The traditional meaning of this gesture is essentially a statement that conveys “What’s good? How are you? You good? I see you”. This phrase recognizes not only the presence of another, but also the unique identity and heritage that lends itself to that individual.

One must perceive beyond the physical realm and enter into the spiritual realm; this is where they will find the same space as their fellow listener, the individual on the other side of the handshake. We must not limit ourselves to viewing with our eyes only, but rather we should observe with a spirit of mutual understanding. We must acknowledge the significance of in American history and pay homage to it. In a room filled to the brim with non-Black faces, we should remain conscious that those who look like us are apart of this space. We must find solace in the rhythm which envelops us and recognize the importance of our shared history, present, and future. It is essential to recognize each other; both as an individual and a collective.

In the Summer of , The Dap Project — comprising of two photographers, Joseph Edwards and Edward Underwood, with support from HumanitiesDC — embarked on a journey to explore the neighborhoods that serve as cornerstones of Washington’s renowned “Chocolate City” identity in search of the dap. Through visits to Anacostia, Congress Heights, Edgewood, Park View and Stronghold, the team sought to gain an understanding of how this expression sustains the soul and spirit of these local communities. Truthfully, they were on a quest to find native Black Washingtonians. Subsequently, their photos and interviews culminated in a multimedia exhibit that was showcased at the Anacostia Arts Center. There, they met John Minor.

The moral

In summary, it is essential to recognize each other as an individual and a collective in any space we are sharing. We must pay homage to our shared history and acknowledge the significance of Black people in American history. We must remember that those who look like us are also apart of this space and invest time in building understanding and mutual respect. This will help create meaningful relationships and lead to more productive conversations and understanding.