The Purpose of the Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance, also known as the Wintoun Dance, was a spiritual movement that originated in the United States in the late 19th century. The dance was characterized by its use of drumming, singing, and dance, and was aimed at bringing about a peaceful and harmonious end to the Indian Wars.
A Brief History of the Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance was born out of the devastating effects of the Indian Wars, which had ravaged the Native American tribes and their families. Many tribes saw the U.S. government’s treatment of them as a form of forced assimilation and cultural suppression. The Ghost Dance was a response to this oppression, and it was first performed by a spiritual leader named Wovoka.
Wovoka, also known as "Wovoka of the Artesian Ghosts", was a Paiute Indian who was born in 1837. He was a spiritual leader and a healer who had a deep understanding of the spiritual forces that governed the world. In 1875, Wovoka began to preach a new gospel, one that emphasized the idea of an impending apocalypse and the need for the Native American tribes to come together and pray for salvation.
The Purpose of the Ghost Dance
The purpose of the Ghost Dance was multifaceted. On the surface, it was a protest against the government’s treatment of the Native American tribes. The dance was a call to action, a message of hope and resilience in the face of oppression. However, it was also deeply spiritual and philosophical, and it had several other purposes as well.
- Resisting Imperialism: The Ghost Dance was a form of resistance against the U.S. government’s attempts to impose its will on Native American tribes. The dance was a rejection of the government’s policies and a call to action to stand up against its oppression.
- Healing and Protection: The Ghost Dance was also a form of healing and protection. Wovoka believed that the dance could bring about a period of spiritual renewal and purification, and that it could protect the Native American tribes from harm.
- Communal Spirituality: The Ghost Dance was a communal activity, and it was meant to bring people together in a shared experience of spiritual joy and connection. The dance was a celebration of the common humanity that existed among all people, and it was a rejection of the idea of a personal, individualistic spirituality.
Drumming and Music
The Ghost Dance was characterized by its use of drumming and music. The dance was accompanied by "sleeping Indian" drums, which were used to mimic the sounds of the sun and the wind. The drums were played in a rhythmic pattern, and the music was meant to evoke a sense of spiritual energy and harmony.
- Thundering Hooves: The drums were played in a thundering hooves rhythm, which was meant to evoke the sound of thunder and the roar of the storms that the Native American tribes had faced in their struggles against the U.S. government.
- Rhythms and Chants: The music of the Ghost Dance included a range of rhythms and chants, including the "Old Dance Song", which was a sacred chant that was used to invoke the spirits of the land and the ancestors.
Dance and Movement
The Ghost Dance was characterized by its use of dance and movement. The dance was a form of communal expression, and it was meant to bring people together in a shared experience of spiritual joy and connection.
- Marching in a Circle: The dance was often performed in a circular pattern, with participants marching in a single file line. This created a sense of unity and shared experience, and it helped to reinforce the spiritual energy of the dance.
- Drumming and Song: The dance included a range of drumming and song, including the "Sleeping Indian" drumming style. The drumming was used to create a sense of tension and release, and the music was meant to evoke a sense of spiritual energy and harmony.
Legacy of the Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance was a significant event in American history, and it had a lasting impact on the Native American tribes and their communities. The dance was a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience, and it continues to inspire and provoke people today.
- Native American Revival: The Ghost Dance revival of the 1960s and 1970s saw a renewed interest in Native American spirituality and culture. This led to a wider recognition of the significance of the Ghost Dance and its place in American history.
- Indigenous Rights: The Ghost Dance revival also saw a wider recognition of the importance of indigenous rights and self-determination. The dance was seen as a powerful symbol of the right to live in peace and harmony with the land and the other people of the world.
Conclusion
The Ghost Dance was a complex and multifaceted spiritual movement that was born out of the devastating effects of the Indian Wars. The dance was a call to action, a message of hope and resilience in the face of oppression. Its purpose was to resist imperialism, to heal and protect, and to bring people together in a shared experience of spiritual joy and connection.
While the Ghost Dance may be an ancient and forgotten event, its legacy lives on in the Native American tribes and their communities today. The dance continues to inspire and provoke people, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting and honoring the spiritual traditions of indigenous peoples.