NATIVE NATIONS DANCE THEATER - NATIVE SOCIAL DANCES
The term powwow (pau wau) is derived from an Algonquian language, originally referred to curing ceremonies. The term soon passed into the English dictionary as a word meaning any Indian gathering or as a verb meaning to confer in council. Native dances all have a special meaning and are symbolic of many different things such as: the butterfly, snake, rabbit, owl, chicken, bison, horse, eagle and other animals. There are many dance categories representing various nations, all of which are not listed here. Listed below are some social dances you may be familiar with.....
Women's Traditional dance is a graceful step/walk in time with the drum in which the women walk or step softly upon mother earth. There are different categories: Northern (fully beaded yoke) & Southern Buckskin (partial accented beadwork), Southern & Northern Trade Cloth Dress. Originally the women did not travel around the circle as they do today they would stand stationary and pulse up and down also called the washboard step.
Men's Traditional dance represents a story of a hunt or a great battle. The men may have their faces painted in various colors to symbolize different symbols of the elements like thunder, rain etc. They may also carry objects to symbolize status within a community or articles of battles etc.
Eastern Women's Blanket dance is an Eastern style of dance and is performed with a large decorated blanket. This dance represents the stages of the cycle of a woman from birth to old age. This dance is also used as a courtship dance. When a woman has chosen a mate she will invite him into her blanket or will show her blanket to him as a sign she is ready to court him.
Grass dance The grass dancers prepare the grounds by praying and blessing the circle, they are usually the first to come out and dance. The bells that they wear call to the spirits so that they will hear the prayers of the people. They carry dance sticks or sweet grass. Old style & Contemporary versions
Women’s Fancy Shawl is a contemporary dance style that has evolved over the years. In some areas this dance is called the butterfly dance. These dancers demonstrate great skill in their seemingly wild but very controlled movements. This is an extremely fast paced dance and the foot work is fascinating to watch. The fancy shawls they wear are beautifully decorated with sequins, ribbon and appliqué work.
These dancers at times seem as if they are dancing on air or even flying.
Men's Fancy dance perform really fast and challenging aerials, jumps and spinning moves with great risk. There foot movements are more elevated and they use many visual effects like face paint, two fancy feather bustles on their back, and bright colors to attract attention.
Prairie Chicken dance is representative of the elaborate mating dance of the prairie chicken. This dance gives honor to the prairie chicken of the northern plains areas. The Blackfeet people are the originators of this dance style. Some dancers will wear small pheasant feather bustles hanging down their back and some will not have a bustle (old style). They wear bells hanging down their legs attached from their belts to their ankles, ankle bells, head roach, mirror board, and a fan. The style is characterized by a tall stepping motion, slow spinning movements and tapping the ground. Some dancers will carry one or more fans to represent wings.
Crow Hop (double beat)comes from Crow Agency Montana. This dance is done in a particular style which is identifiable because of the dancers strut or sliding of the feet. The posture of the dancer can be upright as they move forward with the step. Women who dance Crow style wear elk teeth on their wool dresses and the men wear outfits and bustles similar to that of a prairie chicken dancer. The contemporary Crow hop is done by the women’s fancy shawl dancers with leaps and fancy jumping movements as well as the grass dancers for exhibition dancing and competitions.
Jingle dress dance is originally a medicine dance performed for ceremonies. The dancer will hold her hand on her hip to symbolize the pain. This dance is also named for the cone shaped jingles that are sewn around the dress. The mature dancer can wear up to 365 cones (chewing tobacco lids) and up to 7 rows of jingles. The Ojibwa people are the creators of this style that has spread through Indian Country. There are many versions to this story. There are two main steps: a shuffle step & a side step which is like a round dance. This dance also came to the people from a vision. Old Style & Contemporary versions
Two Step (owl or rabbit dance) is a courtship dance. Couples dance together holding hands and complete various dance steps while and traveling around the circle. Other couples dances are called the rabbit dance and the alligator dance (Iroquois style).
Hoop dance is one of the most difficult dances to perform and originates from the Hopi people of the southwest. It is one of the oldest, whose roots go back to the beginning of creation. Originally medicine men and spiritual leaders as a medicinal or a visionary type dance performed the hoop dance. Some dancers try to use up to 30 hoops to create unique formations of nature. Today women also perform the hoop dance at special competitions and exhibitions. Use your imagination and look for the eagle, lizard, snake, Mickey Mouse, baby cradles, globes, caterpillar, flower, butterfly, planets, stars, atoms, chains, scorpions, ladders, bridges, clouds, the world and many other shapes.
Round dance is a dance representing friendship and the flow of the human spirit. Everyone can participate. A step together step, left foot leads. The head dancer(s) lead this dance. This dance is done to celebrate special occasions like an honoring, birthdays, weddings etc.
Smoke dance men and women present a very popular fast paced Iroquois dance style from the East. Characterized by some vocalizations, short water drum songs in which the dancer does very fast footwork, fancy spins and stops on time with the drum.
Contact: Vaughnda Hilton, Founder/Director Email: [email protected] Phone: 770-769-6974
The term powwow (pau wau) is derived from an Algonquian language, originally referred to curing ceremonies. The term soon passed into the English dictionary as a word meaning any Indian gathering or as a verb meaning to confer in council. Native dances all have a special meaning and are symbolic of many different things such as: the butterfly, snake, rabbit, owl, chicken, bison, horse, eagle and other animals. There are many dance categories representing various nations, all of which are not listed here. Listed below are some social dances you may be familiar with.....
Women's Traditional dance is a graceful step/walk in time with the drum in which the women walk or step softly upon mother earth. There are different categories: Northern (fully beaded yoke) & Southern Buckskin (partial accented beadwork), Southern & Northern Trade Cloth Dress. Originally the women did not travel around the circle as they do today they would stand stationary and pulse up and down also called the washboard step.
Men's Traditional dance represents a story of a hunt or a great battle. The men may have their faces painted in various colors to symbolize different symbols of the elements like thunder, rain etc. They may also carry objects to symbolize status within a community or articles of battles etc.
Eastern Women's Blanket dance is an Eastern style of dance and is performed with a large decorated blanket. This dance represents the stages of the cycle of a woman from birth to old age. This dance is also used as a courtship dance. When a woman has chosen a mate she will invite him into her blanket or will show her blanket to him as a sign she is ready to court him.
Grass dance The grass dancers prepare the grounds by praying and blessing the circle, they are usually the first to come out and dance. The bells that they wear call to the spirits so that they will hear the prayers of the people. They carry dance sticks or sweet grass. Old style & Contemporary versions
Women’s Fancy Shawl is a contemporary dance style that has evolved over the years. In some areas this dance is called the butterfly dance. These dancers demonstrate great skill in their seemingly wild but very controlled movements. This is an extremely fast paced dance and the foot work is fascinating to watch. The fancy shawls they wear are beautifully decorated with sequins, ribbon and appliqué work.
These dancers at times seem as if they are dancing on air or even flying.
Men's Fancy dance perform really fast and challenging aerials, jumps and spinning moves with great risk. There foot movements are more elevated and they use many visual effects like face paint, two fancy feather bustles on their back, and bright colors to attract attention.
Prairie Chicken dance is representative of the elaborate mating dance of the prairie chicken. This dance gives honor to the prairie chicken of the northern plains areas. The Blackfeet people are the originators of this dance style. Some dancers will wear small pheasant feather bustles hanging down their back and some will not have a bustle (old style). They wear bells hanging down their legs attached from their belts to their ankles, ankle bells, head roach, mirror board, and a fan. The style is characterized by a tall stepping motion, slow spinning movements and tapping the ground. Some dancers will carry one or more fans to represent wings.
Crow Hop (double beat)comes from Crow Agency Montana. This dance is done in a particular style which is identifiable because of the dancers strut or sliding of the feet. The posture of the dancer can be upright as they move forward with the step. Women who dance Crow style wear elk teeth on their wool dresses and the men wear outfits and bustles similar to that of a prairie chicken dancer. The contemporary Crow hop is done by the women’s fancy shawl dancers with leaps and fancy jumping movements as well as the grass dancers for exhibition dancing and competitions.
Jingle dress dance is originally a medicine dance performed for ceremonies. The dancer will hold her hand on her hip to symbolize the pain. This dance is also named for the cone shaped jingles that are sewn around the dress. The mature dancer can wear up to 365 cones (chewing tobacco lids) and up to 7 rows of jingles. The Ojibwa people are the creators of this style that has spread through Indian Country. There are many versions to this story. There are two main steps: a shuffle step & a side step which is like a round dance. This dance also came to the people from a vision. Old Style & Contemporary versions
Two Step (owl or rabbit dance) is a courtship dance. Couples dance together holding hands and complete various dance steps while and traveling around the circle. Other couples dances are called the rabbit dance and the alligator dance (Iroquois style).
Hoop dance is one of the most difficult dances to perform and originates from the Hopi people of the southwest. It is one of the oldest, whose roots go back to the beginning of creation. Originally medicine men and spiritual leaders as a medicinal or a visionary type dance performed the hoop dance. Some dancers try to use up to 30 hoops to create unique formations of nature. Today women also perform the hoop dance at special competitions and exhibitions. Use your imagination and look for the eagle, lizard, snake, Mickey Mouse, baby cradles, globes, caterpillar, flower, butterfly, planets, stars, atoms, chains, scorpions, ladders, bridges, clouds, the world and many other shapes.
Round dance is a dance representing friendship and the flow of the human spirit. Everyone can participate. A step together step, left foot leads. The head dancer(s) lead this dance. This dance is done to celebrate special occasions like an honoring, birthdays, weddings etc.
Smoke dance men and women present a very popular fast paced Iroquois dance style from the East. Characterized by some vocalizations, short water drum songs in which the dancer does very fast footwork, fancy spins and stops on time with the drum.
Contact: Vaughnda Hilton, Founder/Director Email: [email protected] Phone: 770-769-6974