Indian ceremonies and dancing

1. Indian ceremonies and dancing

2. Why dancing was the most important ceremony for the Indians?

3. Indian ceremonies and dancing • Ceremonies • Purpose of ceremonies • Dancing : Apache: Rain Dance Ute: Bear Dance Lakota: Sun Dance

4. Ceremonies • adapted locally • traditional and borrowed elements • suit local needs

5. Purpose of ceremonies • to assist the continuation of stable, predictable movements • to take their usual paths • provided power to conquer the difficulties of life

6. Dancing • The most important part of the Indian ceremonies • form a of a prayer • way of expressingjoy or grief • healing power

7. Apache: Rain Dance • held spring and summer time • invoke rain • ensure the protection of the harvest • cleanse evil spirits from the earth • unique because both men and women danced

8. Ute: Bear Dance • held every spring • originate from an Indian legend • to mating and courtship • social dance :to celebrate the arrival of spring • one way which people could release their tensions

9. The Bear • to teach strength, wisdom and survival skills • tribe's symbol of strength; • a reminder of it's former superiority in war

10. Lakota: Sun Dance • held during the summer solstice • to sacrifice one's self to the Great Spirit • dance in place facing the sun and continue until falling unconscious or achieving a vision • colorful painting in the bodies

11. Similarities and differencesbetweenthem • each of them held in spring or summer • held for specific reasons (environmental, social, spiritual) • duration of ceremonies ( hours, days) • costume and masking • participants (men, women)

12. So why dancing was the most important ceremony?

13. Importance of dancing • the best way to express feelings (joy or grief) • spiritual not just a way to have fun • healing power • connections between man and nature • common activity

14. Thankyouforyourattention!