One feature of North American Indians continued today is the Pow-Wow. The Native Americans perform ritual dances for purposes such as assuring social well-being and vision quests. Many rituals still survive. Since the middle of the 20th century, many intertribal pow-wows have developed in the United States and Canada.
In preparation for the dance, many days must be spent in the sacred lodge, fasting and praying. Before dressing in ceremonial feathers and robes, a dancer would anoint his body with berry and plant dyes and animal fats. Outside the lodge the dancer hears the whistling antelope flutes, the rattles of the gourds, and the drums beating. The Great Spirit will be pleased that he is well-prepared.
Robin Dance
As the legend goes, there was a beautiful butterfly who lost her mate in a battle. In her grief, she wrapped herself in her cocoon and traveled the world over, stepping on each stone until she found beauty in one and was able to start her life anew. The Fancy Shawl dance is an enactment of this legend. Bead work and bright colors adorn the dress and fringed shawl which is held out as the dancer steps and twirls, representing wings of a butterfly. As the most modern ladies' dance, this gives young Indian maidens the opportunity to demonstrate their individual agility and grace. Ladies Fancy Shawl; on Butterfly Wings depicts one of these dancers, lost in the spirit of the butterfly as she lives out this legend.
Traditional Dancer
"After the Dance"
Dancing forms a base between the young and the old; between the past and the present; between all tribes, and all cultures. Dancing teaches us to carry on the tradition.
