Native Dances
... Dances were used for many purposes, such as ceremonial, story telling and entertainment. In the recent years, Native American social dances have served as a vehicle to bring communities into the next generation. Through these dances, the younger generation is able to keep a continual interest in their culture. Throughout the United States and Canada, there are many different versions of the origins for many of the dances. The Native American culture is a living culture. The people as well as the dances are constantly changing and evolving. The dances have strong roots in history as well as signs of modern influence. The dances that are shared are known as social or intertribal dances. ... Every nation has its own traditional dances, yet there are a few which are performed worldwide, and each and every dance has its own story to tell. ... The hoops symbolize a sacred part of the Native American life. ... " Many nations have dances performed only by men while others only by women. The mens dances include the Northern Traditional Dance, which incorporates the beat of a drum as the dancer goes low to the earth as if looking for the tracks of a not so distant enemy. ... Two other popular dances amongst the men, are the Grass dance and the Fancy dance. ... Before any dances or ceremonies could take place, they would send out a select society of men known as the grass dance society.