Booger dance facts for kids
The Booger Dance is a special traditional dance of the Cherokee people. In the Cherokee language, it's called tsu'nigadu'li, which means "many persons' faces covered over." This dance uses unique masks and is usually performed at night around a campfire. It takes place in the late fall or winter.
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The Booger Dance: A Cherokee Tradition
The Booger Dance is more than just a performance; it's an important part of Cherokee culture. It helps protect the community from bad spirits. The dance also brings laughter and fun to the tribal members.
What is the Booger Dance?
This dance is a way for the Cherokee to deal with unwanted or harmful spirits. People believe the dance and its music can scare away these spirits. It also offers protection against anyone who might wish the Cherokee harm. Even though it deals with serious topics, the dance also provides a lot of humor for everyone watching.
Who are the "Boogers"?
Before the dance starts, the male Cherokee performers, known as "Boogers," quietly leave the main party. They then return wearing their special masks. The "Boogers" represent spirits that are not friendly to the Cherokee. They also symbolize people who might try to trespass on Cherokee lands.
The Special Masks
The masks used in the Booger Dance are very important. They are often colorful and represent evil spirits. Originally, these masks were made from wood or even hornets' nests. They were created to be part of a winter celebration. This celebration helped make sure that bad spirits would not cause problems for the upcoming growing season. Over time, some of these masks began to look like the faces of White trespassers. The masks could also be made from gourds, animal skins, or buckeye wood.
