Midterm - Unit 1 - Native Americans Flashcards
The role of dance in Plains Indian cultures
Understanding Celebration Dream cults Social comunication religion
1800s arrival of American settlers in the Great Plains region
led to the widespread destruction of the buffalo, upon which many of the tribes depended. To make room for the expansion of American settlements, the U.S. Government began the process of Indian removals
tribes were forced to move off their lands to “Indian Territory,” while other tribes were confined to reservations
cultural crisis
among the Plains Indians
Grass Dance
performed to a drum beat Formal exchange of regalia, dance steps and songs between warrior tribes First signs sacred to secular Predecessor of modern powwow dances
Sitting Bull
head chief of the Lakota Sioux nation
allied the Lakota with the Cheyenne and Arapaho to defend the nations against attacks by the U.S. government
Wovoka
A man that had an apocalyptic vision of the return of the indians old ways by death of enemies. He was a magician and claimed he was the messiah by faking his own death.
initiated the Ghost dance
Ghost dance
circle dance for 5 days repeated every 6 weeks
many plain Indians practiced the dance as a moral code of peace
was used as a ritual for purification
the dance and beliefs were brought to the Lakota by Kicking Bear medicine man who learned it form Wovoka in Nevada
US banned the dance
Chief Sitting BUll hearded the ghost dance from Kicking bear and he spread it amongst the Lakota in Standing Rock
On December 29, 1890-The Massacre of Wounded Knee:
Authorities killed Indians and discouraged all ceremonial dancing, however the grass dance was still allowed in Wild West Shows.
American Indian Movement of the 1970s
ushered in a renewed focus on traditions and customs. All of these set the stage for the
emergence of the modern powwow.
POWWOW
Ceremonial and artistic exchanges Social Competition 4 days long originally Plains Indian tradition but spread across all the natives means rekindle
The style of the powwow
reflects the cultural values celebrated by the event Calm, Dignified Emotional restraint strength, bravery
The posture of powwow
Knees usually bent, body lifted forward toward the ground
– Elaborate head movements, especially when miming animals
– Arms close to body, except when imitating birds, opening shawls, etc.
Northern Plains style powwow music
high pitch and a fast beat
Southern Plains style powwow music
low pitch, a slower beat, and is more reserved
three categories of powwow dance performance
ceremonial dances, social dances, and competitive dances
Ceremonial powwow Dance
1) Grand entry
2) Honor dance
3) Victory dance
