Muzzing is a style of dance developed in
Australia in the early 21st century from the European dance style techtonik. Movements include pointing of arms in different directions, bending the arms, swinging the arms whilst
straight and
bent, and the circling of the hand around the head.
Muzzing was named after the “muzzas” (a recent Australian term with a similar meaning to “wog”) who first performed it. The original form of muzzing, sometimes referred to today as “wog muzzing” (as opposed to the more recent “
Asian muzzing”) involves the
feet generally being firmly planted on the ground, often the legs are slightly bent given a more of a squat or crouched position. The muscles of the
core and arms are tensed, and the movements are frenetic, rigid and abrupt. It is described by practitioners and others as a display of dominance. The deceased recreational bodybuilder Zyzz (Aziz Shavershian) is credited as popularising this form of muzzing.
In recent years muzzing has been appropriated by Asians and adapted to “reflect
Asian sensibilities” (as one research participant stated). This new form of
Asian muzzing, otherwise known as chopping, differs from traditional muzzing as it is faster, involves hip thrusting and slightly more movement of the
feet and legs, is more precise, controlled and technical, and involves less muscle tensing (and may not involve muscle tensing at all).
Asian muzzing appears to be performed by equal numbers of men and women.
