Dancers
The Dancers
*These descriptions are only to give an idea of the
dance styles and regalia. Every dancer has his or her own particular style, and
outfits vary from different nations.*
Men's Dances
Northern
TraditionalThe dancer wears a bustle, often of
eagle feathers, a bone bead breastplate, leggings, beaded moccasins, a beaded
belt, ankle bells, a porcupine roach headress, breechcloth, various beaded
accesories, and carries an eagle feather fan. These dancers often paint their
faces in different styles, sometimes derived from their family or nation's
designs. Out of respect for this dance, spectators may be asked to stand.
Southern Straight
In this style, the dancer represents a warrior scouting the enemy. The
regalia usually consists of a porcupine roach, or an otter-skin turban, an otter
skin trailer, vest, bead or ribbonwork, arm cuffs, leggings, a breechcloth, a
bandolier, beaded moccasins, and a ribbon shirt. The dancer carries a feather
fan, and perhaps a staff. Grass
This is the oldest style of the powwow dances. Originating in the
plains, there are several stories as to how it started. One version (Ponca)
tells of when, long ago, the people went to an isolated spot on the prarie to
give thanks. Some of the men stomped down the grasses to make way for dancing.
The regalia consists of yokes and breechcloths fringed with rows of brightly
colored yarn (grass), usually a roach headdress, fringed anklets, and sheep
bells worn around the lower legs. Grass dancers use many sways, dips, and
sliding steps. Fancy
This dance originated in Oklahoma and is one that lets each dancer
demonstrate his athletic ability and originality. Acrobatics are not uncommon,
and this dance requires a lot of endurance. The men wear double bustles, usually
trimmed with brightly dyed hackle feathers, decorated yokes and breechcloths,
angora anklets with sheep bells, beaded moccasins, arm bands, and a porcupine
roach.
Women's Dances
Northern Traditional
There are two types: buckskin dresses often have fully beaded yolks,
long fringe, and and the dancers may wear long breastplates, and beaded
moccasins and leggings. Cloth dresses are commonly decorated with elk teeth or
dentalium shells, and breastplates. Both style of dancers carry a shawl folded
over an arm, and carry an eagle feather fan. This dance is one that requires
much skill to stay in perfect rythym, stepping lightly, slightly bobbing up and
down, and allowing the fringe on their dresses and shawls to sway gracefully.
Southern Traditional
The style of these dresses comes from the southern plains down to the
gulf states. Also incuded are the long, tiered dresses common to the southeast.
Some have elaborate ribbonwork (depending on the wearer's Nation), a shawl
folded over an arm, and maybe a concho belt. The beat is slower on Southern
songs, and the dancer sways side-to-side gracefully as she steps.
Jingle Dress
This dance comes from the Ojibway Nation and started in about the 1920s.
The dresses are decorated with rolled snuff can lids (other types of metal lids
may be used), which hit each other when the dancer moves, creating a pleasing
"jingle" sound. She carries a feather fan, and sometimes a scarf or beaded
purse. Beaded leggings, moccasins, and a beaded or concho belt complete the
outfit. Besides the traditional jingle step, they also use a sidestep, in which
the dancer moves both feet along in a slide-type motion, or steps sideways to
the beat. Fancy Shawl
This dance is said to represent the transition of a cocoon to a
butterfly. Women wear calf-length skirts, a beaded or sequinned cape/vest, and
matching leggings and moccasins. The shawl is worn across the shoulders, and
held slightly out at the elbows. The dancer uses spins ans freestyle footwork to
demonstrate her originality. Grass Dancers, Intertribal Indian
Ceremonial Powwow, Gallup, NM, 1994
Women's
Dances
Northern Traditional
There are two types: buckskin dresses often have fully beaded yolks,
long fringe, and and the dancers may wear long breastplates, and beaded
moccasins and leggings. Cloth dresses are commonly decorated with elk teeth or
dentalium shells, and breastplates. Both style of dancers carry a shawl folded
over an arm, and carry an eagle feather fan. This dance is one that requires
much skill to stay in perfect rythym, stepping lightly, slightly bobbing up and
down, and allowing the fringe on their dresses and shawls to sway gracefully.
Southern Traditional
The style of these dresses comes from the southern plains down to the
gulf states. Also incuded are the long, tiered dresses common to the southeast.
Some have elaborate ribbonwork (depending on the wearer's Nation), a shawl
folded over an arm, and maybe a concho belt. The beat is slower on Southern
songs, and the dancer sways side-to-side gracefully as she steps.
Jingle Dress
This dance comes from the Ojibway Nation and started in about the 1920s.
The dresses are decorated with rolled snuff can lids (other types of metal lids
may be used), which hit each other when the dancer moves, creating a pleasing
"jingle" sound. She carries a feather fan, and sometimes a scarf or beaded
purse. Beaded leggings, moccasins, and a beaded or concho belt complete the
outfit. Besides the traditional jingle step, they also use a sidestep, in which
the dancer moves both feet along in a slide-type motion, or steps sideways to
the beat. Fancy Shawl
This dance is said to represent the transition of a cocoon to a
butterfly. Women wear calf-length skirts, a beaded or sequinned cape/vest, and
matching leggings and moccasins. The shawl is worn across the shoulders, and
held slightly out at the elbows. The dancer uses spins ans freestyle footwork to
demonstrate her originality. Grass Dancers,
Intertribal Indian Ceremonial Powwow, Gallup, NM, 199