Fancy dance facts for kids
Fancy dance is an exciting Native American dance. It is also called Pan-Indian dancing or Fancy Feather dance. Many people believe the Ponca tribe first created it. This was in the 1920s and 1930s. They wanted to keep their culture and beliefs strong. The dance is a bit like older War dances.
Fancy dance was often performed for visitors to reservations. It was also seen at "Wild West" shows. Today, you can see fancy dancers at many powwows. These events happen all over the country and even worldwide.
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The History of Fancy Dance
Native American dances and ceremonies were once banned. This happened in 1883 by White authorities. But Native peoples kept their traditions alive. They practiced ceremonies secretly. Tribes also created new dances they could perform in public.
How the Dance Developed
In the 1930s, the Kiowa and Comanche tribes created new dance outfits. These outfits included bells on their legs. They also had special arm and back decorations. These items were later used in the fancy dance.
The fancy dance really grew after 1928. That year, the Ponca Tribe built their own dance arena. This was in White Eagle, Oklahoma. Two young Ponca boys helped create the fast-paced dance. Audiences loved its energy. "Wild West" shows helped make the dance very popular. Gus McDonald, a Ponca dancer, became the first World Champion Fancy War Dancer.
Fancy Dance Spreads
In the early 1900s, powwows started to spread. These were gatherings where different tribes could meet. The Kiowa tribe held dance contests as early as 1918. Fancy dancing became part of these contests. During the Great Depression, these contests helped people earn money. Famous fancy dancers in the 1930s included Chester Lefthand and Stephen Mopope. In the 1940s, dancers like Elmer Sugar Brown added exciting moves. These included back flips, cartwheels, and splits.
Women in Fancy Dance
By the late 1930s, women also began fancy dancing. They wore similar outfits to the men. By the 1940s, women's fancy dancing was common. Shalah Rowlen and her sisters were early women fancy dancers. Women's fancy dancing became less common in the 1950s. But it came back strong in the 1960s and 1970s. This time, it was known as the women's fancy shawl dance.
Gombey Dancers
The Gombey dancers of Bermuda have a unique dance style. It seems to be influenced by Native American traditions. This is because many Native Americans were sent to Bermuda as slaves long ago. Their costumes today use peacock feathers. These feathers would have been hard to get in the past. Their dance was once a war dance. It used moves like using a tomahawk or bow and arrow. Native American dancers recognized these steps.
What Fancy Dance Looks Like
Fancy dance is very colorful and full of energy. It needs a lot of strength. Younger men and boys usually perform it. The drum music can be fast or medium-paced. Dancers are expected to strike a pose when the music stops. Some might do splits or jump in the air.
Men's Fancy Dance Regalia
Male fancy dancers wear bright, colorful outfits. A key part of the outfit is two feather bustles. These are worn on the back. Other parts include a decorated top and leggings. They also wear bells below their knees. Special hair called "Goats" and moccasins are worn. A tall headpiece with two feathers is also common. Many outfits have colorful fringes that move with the dancer.
Women's Fancy Shawl Dance Regalia
The women's fancy shawl dance shows a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. The shawl is usually the most important part of the outfit. These shawls are colorful and bright. They often have embroidery or ribbon work. The fringe on the shawl moves with the dancer. Dancers also wear decorated designs and hairpieces. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are common. Beautiful moccasins and leggings complete the look. Women's fancy shawl dance is newer than the men's version. Women started doing it decades after the men's dance began.
Fancy Dance Competitions
Men's fancy dance is one of the most popular dances at powwows today. It is very athletic and has many tricks. As the dancer moves, their outfit flows with them. This creates a beautiful effect. The music for fancy dance often mixes different beats. These are sometimes called "mix-up" or "confusion" songs.
The dancer must follow the beat closely. They must also strike a "pose" every time the drum beat stops. Singers sometimes try to trick dancers with unexpected stops.
Fancy dance has become very popular. It is even a competitive sport. Many Native American tribes now practice it. This is why it is also called "Pan-Indian dancing."
