Essay on Native American Ritual Dancing - 3056 Words

Native American Ritual Dancing â€Å"It has often been said that the North American Indians ‘dance out’ their religions† (Vecsey 51). There were two very important dances for the Sioux tribe, the Sun Dance and the Ghost Dance. Both dances show the nature of Native American spirituality. The Ghost Dance and the Sun Dance were two very different dances, however both promote a sense of community. â€Å"The Sun Dance was the most spectacular and important religious ceremony of the Plains Indians of 19th-century North America† (Lawrence 1). The Sun Dance became a time of renewal and thanksgiving for Native Americans. Everyone had a role to play either in the preparation leading up to the dance, or within the dance itself. The†¦show more content†¦In the conversation the Sioux woman has with the tree she explains why they are ‘killing’ it, and what their plans for the tree are. After the tree is cut down, it is not allowed to touch the ground. McGaa states that the men can only set the tree down four times to rest on the way back to the reservation (86). There is an arena set up where the dancing and other activities will take place. Once the cottonwood is brought back, the men place it in the center of this arena. Some fifty men then join the group and raise the tree with rope. Four songs are sung four times to the each of the four winds. Cloth banners representing the four directions are tied to the branches, and then two hides are tied above the cloth (one in the shape of a human and the other of a buffalo). â€Å"The cutouts represent thankfulness. Twelve chokecherry branches are tied crosswise beneath the buffalo and the human images. The branches symbolize the twelve moons, the twelve months of the year† (McGaa 86). The same evening the dancers who will be pierced in the ceremony participate in a Sweat Lodge ceremony. On the first actual ceremonial day of the Sun Dance another Sweat Lodge is held for those men and women who are going to participate in the dancing. A Sweat Lodge is believed to help heal a person spiritually. Groups that participate in Sweat Lodges are supposed to gain empowerment. The dancers then dress and prepare him or her self in the tipi. There is a traditional dressShow MoreRelatedNative American Tradition Culture Of Native Indians1338 Words   |  6 Pagesand music, and Native American is no exception. First, the native music related many aspects such as ritual, life and work. They like to combine music with dance, and the Native American music always created rich percussion instruments. For example, the hand drum, log drum, water drum and rattle, etc. The Powwow is an important festival and ritual for the Native American, and it is a symbol of the tradition culture of Native Indians. Powwow, is a social gathering by the Native American tribes, and theyRead MoreThe Native American Culture Of Native Americans1335 Words   |  6 Pagesand music, and Native American is no exception. First, the native music related many aspects such as ritual, life and work. They like to combine music with dance, and the Native American music always created rich percussio n instruments. For example, the hand drum, log drum, water drum and rattle, etc. Powwow is an important festival and ritual for the Native American, and it is a symbol for the tradition culture of Native Indians. Powwow, is a social gathering by the Native American tribes, and theyRead MoreRitual Dances By Lucile Armstrong1432 Words   |  6 Pagesstarted out as a ritual. According to HistoryWorld â€Å"In most ancient civilization, dance before the god is an important element in the temple ritual†. Ritual dancing bring men as they celebrate their necessities. 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