Indian Ceremonies and Dancing

Dancing THE BRAVE DANCE (CHIEF DANCE) Sun Dance RAIN DANCE

Ceremonies Pipe ceremony Fire ceremony Wedding ceremony

Common features dances and songs passed down through many generations the use of a traditional drum praying with the pipe Offerings fasting ceremonial piercing of skin

THE BRAVE DANCE (CHIEF DANCE) Religious ritual before war Aim: Protection of the warriors, success in battles Guardian spirits: assist individuals or the entire community invitation, dedication of food and tobacco to the manidog FEAST,SINGING, DANCING

THE BRAVE DANCE (CHIEF DANCE) Recitation of war exploits Other aims: bountiful harvest of wild rice avert inclement weather (severe winter)

Sun Dance Upper Plains and Rocky Mountain areas Annual ceremony: performed at the summer solstice Eagle is a central symbol: brings body and spirit together in harmony the sun: offers personal sacrifice as a prayer for the benefit of one's family and community.

RAIN DANCE performed by agricultural peoples (in the southwest) EXTREMELY DRY SUMMERS AIM: ASK SPIRITS OR GODS TO SEND RAIN DURING PLANTING SEASON BEFORE CROPS WERE HARVESTED WHEN rain was desperately needed BOTH MEN AND WOMEN PARTICIPATED

RAIN DANCE Wearing of large headdresses or masks Accessories: paint on the body Beads animal skins Horse and goat hair Feathers embroidered aprons jewelry

Rain dance moving in a zigzag pattern tribes in the southwest: Puebloan, Hopi, Zuni, apache Other: cherokee

Pipe ceremony sacred ritual connecting physical and spiritual world Pipe: link between the earth and the sky Prayer in physical form Fire: source of life Using of Different pipes

Fire ceremony Performed every full moon Bring Something to burn: Get rid from past Prayer request of something new Pictures, drawings for the past or for the newness

Fire ceremony Forming a circle around the fire Call in support from divine sources GOD, Spirit, the Universe, the Archangels, Saints, Guardian Angels starts and ends with a prayer

Wedding ceremony Lavish preparations accompanied by: lots of entertainment, fun, colorful dresses, jewelry, music and dance

Wedding ceremony arrival of the 'Baraat Formal procession including relatives of the groom AARTI: RITUAL PERFORMED BY THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE Jaimala ceremony: exchange of garlands wedding gifts and congratulations

Wedding ceremony Exchanging of vows slokas (hymns) with the priest 'Phera' or 'saat phere' ritual knot is tied with the bride's dress and the groom's dress they move around the ceremonial fire for seven times

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