Powwows are multifaceted social gatherings that Native Americans have enjoyed for decades. Participants go to powwows to dance, sing, play drums or flutes or rattles, and to catch up with friends that they have made through the years. Today, powwows are an intertribal celebration, with many tribal identities being displayed with pride and dignity. Throughout powwow history, traditions and dances have been altered to fit the locations and tribes that put on the powwows. Other traditions and dances have withstood the test of time, and have crossed into the spotlights of the more modern celebrations. One such style of dance that has a strong following is the grass dance. It has evolved from its roots, but it has remained a constant favorite dance for both dancers and the spectators that witness it.
The Grass Dance Belonged to the Warrior Societies
There are several origin stories of the grass dance, and so the Omaha version will be focused on. With the Omaha, the grass dance had ritualistic dances that were done for many northern plains tribes for warrior societies. The ceremony was long and had complex movements and meanings to everything the dancers did and wore. According to some plains tribes, the head dancer for the warrior society during the dances was recognized by the crow belt he wore. The belt usually consisted of a stuffed bird (crow, raven, hawk or eagle), tied to a belt, with feathers attached to rectangular pieces of fabric hanging down from the belt. The crow belt evolved into what is known to many powwow dancers as the powwow dance bustle today.
The other dancers of the ceremony would be recognized by the long grass that was tucked into their belts. For some warriors, the grass represented their coups from war, an indication that they were brave and willing protectors for their village. For other warriors, the grass in their belts was in place to symbolize the buffalo. Buffalos ate grass, and the buffalos in turn were the sustaining force of many plains tribes. It is from the grass belted dancers that the name of the dance is supposed to have originate from. Originally, the grass dance leaders were the caretakers of the drums. The secondary leaders, or the crow belt wearers, where the keepers of special religious objects.
The Basic Contemporary Grass Dance Outfit
The Grass Dance is an innovative style that has reached every corner of Indian Country, also known as Native America. It is a young man’s dance, with foot movements found in no other dance style. It is energetic, full of color and prowess. Today’s grass dance has changed from it’s prized and ritualistic beginnings. Many tribes have their variation of the outfit, but the most recognized outfit today consists of a beaded or ribbon appliquéd cape, fringed in yarn or ribbon. Also large aprons and side drops are worn, and are also beaded or ribbon appliquéd, also fringed.
A roach and beaded headband is worn on the head. A large scarf is worn around the neck, and necklace if the dancer chooses. A harness is also sometimes worn, which extends down the front of the dancer from shoulders to knees. The bands are beaded or ribbon appliquéd. Beaded arm bands and cuffs are worn. Wide beaded belts are preferred. Underneath, men wear loose legged pants with fringe attached, t-shirts, beaded moccasins, bells and angora around the ankles. The dancers today no longer wear a bustle, and many times leave their hands empty. Some do choose to carry items, such as mirrorboards, feather fans, decorated hoops, pipe bags, or large scarves.
After years of use, the Omaha Nation perfected the grass dances. With trade and negotiations, the name ‘grass dance’, as well as the rituals and societies were spread to the Dakota Nation during the Civil War, and then to the Lakota, and beyond. The dance was known to the Lakota as the Omaha Society Dance or the Grass Bustle Dance. As time progressed, the knowledge of the dance and customs spread quickly to other tribes. New songs were made, the original outfits were modified and added to. One such addition was the porcupine roaches, made from porcupine hair, that men wore on their heads. By the early Twentieth Century, the grass dance was the most recognized, celebrated and wide spread dance and set of rituals in North America. Today, the grass dance is a favorite style of dance, due to the regalia, and the preciseness of the dancers footwork. To many powwow dancers, a powwow seems incomplete if not attended by at least one decent grass dancer.
For more information, please read Porcupine Hair Roaches Worn at Powwows, and The Evolution of the Powwow Dance Bustle.
Sources:
- Green, Richard. (1989). “A Northern Grass Dance Harness” Whispering Wind Crafts Annual #2. Ed. Jack B. Heriard. New Orleans, LA.: Written Heritage.
- Hungry Wolf, Adolf. (1999). Pow-wow: Dancer’s and Craftworker’s Handbook. Summertown, TN: Native Voices.
- Laubin, Reginald & Gladys Laubin. (1977). Indian Dances of North America: Their Importance to Indian Life. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press.
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