The Cakewalk originated in Florida .
Ethel L. Urlin writing in the 1912 `` Dancing , Ancient and Modern '' stated that `` It originated in Florida , where it is said that the Negroes borrowed the idea of it from the war dances of the Seminole ... The negroes were present as spectators at these dances , which consisted of wild and hilarious jumping and gyrating , alternatingwith slow processions in which the dancers walked solemnly in couples .
Cakewalk