Native American Dancing

Native American dancing as we speak of it is particular to the North American Native Americans, and is a type of folk or cultural dancing which evolved over centuries. Native American dancing, typically performed to drum beats, has been related to many aspects of the lives of these peoples. Though the dances of different tribes may vary, the feeling and rhythms and postures are fairly consistent.

Native American dances were traditionally performed to celebrate specific occasions, such as harvest, tribal social rites, victories in war, a successful hunt, and on occasion, as a precursor to battle. To those pioneers who witnessed Native American dancing in prepartion for battled, it must have been a frightening and awe-inspiring sight. Today one may witness this form of cultural dancing in venues which are peaceful and conducive promoting to good relations and understanding among various peoples.

Many Native American dances were traditionally performed around or near a camp fire, and were typically performed by the males of the tribes. On some occasions, the women joined the dancing, but usually on the fringes. Children observed and learned to participate in the dancing in certain areas of the camp.

Typically, Native American dancing involves repetitive, sometimes intricate, footwork, body movement, usually vertical, and arm movements. Dancers sometimes worked themselves into a frenzy, dancing for hours until exhausted.

Native Americans developed elaborate and beautifully decorate costumes and accessories worn while dancing. Headresses abounded with large elaborate feathers secured in a band which may have had heavily beaded decoration. Aprons, skirts, capes, footwear worn while dancing all were typically beautifully beaded, some in complex designs.

There are numerous books available in public and school libraries which provide great information and beautiful illustrations of Native American rituals and activities, including dancing. It is interesting to study the types of dress and costume developed by different tribes, some used in dancing, others for other activities and ritual. In all cases they are elaborate and beautiful.

Just as Native American dancing occupies an important place in the cultural history of these American peoples, so it also is important to the cultural history of the country in which it originated.

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