As African American's during the period of slavery we accepted christianity and implemented some of the religious rituals from Africa into our conversion to christianity. One of the most distinct traditions is the tradition of the "shout or holy dance". The early slaves called it a ring shout while as the African American church grew and became more prominent the ring shout turned into a dance not done in the traditional circle but done as the Holy Spirit moved. It is a form of praise to our God "YHWH" and we say is motivated by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost which enables us to do this holy dance/shout. Here is an article that goes more in depth with the tradition/ praise form.
http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/literature/tradition.cfm
"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.--"Psalm 150:4
"And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod."--2 Samuel 6:14
"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances."--Exodus 15:20
http://ctl.du.edu/spirituals/literature/tradition.cfm
"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.--"Psalm 150:4
"And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod."--2 Samuel 6:14
"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances."--Exodus 15:20
