Fancy Shawl Dancing

Ladies Fancy Shawl is the newest form of Native American Women’s Dance, and is quite athletic! Fancy Shawl is often called Northern Shawl, as it does come form the Northern Tribes along the U.S. and Canadian Border.

This is very similar in dancing and the bright colors to the Men’s Fancy Dance. The ladies wear their shawls over their shoulders, and dance by jumping and spinning around, keeping time with the music. They mimic butterflies in flight, and the dance style is quite graceful and light.

Emphasis is paid particularly to the shawls, with elaborate designs, applique, ribbon work, and painting. Long fringe hangs from the edges of the shawl, and flies round.

Find out more in the fancy shawl forum.

See more pictures of fancy shawl dancers in the fancy shawl dance gallery.

TOPICS: Native American Dance Styles Page | Types of Dancing | Powwows.com, Pow Wow

10 Responses to “Fancy Shawl Dancing”

1. Rudene says:

   January 14, 2012 at 11:24 pm

   Very Nice, My daughter would like to start Fancy shawl. If you can direct me in the right direction for Outfit information, along with anything else that will be helpful.
   Thank You
   Rudene Zumwalt
   rzumwalt@windstream.net

   Reply
   • Paul G says:

     January 15, 2012 at 6:31 pm

     Check out our forums:
     http://www.powwows.com/gathering

     We have a forum for each dance style.

     Reply
   • Francesco says:

     September 23, 2012 at 11:25 am

     You aren\’t Cherokee if you aren\’t an enrolled memebr. Write it on your application all you want, but scholarships towards college/uni tuition come from the Band themselves, not the government. An enrolled memebr applies to the Band, and still has to compete against others for a scholarship. It does not apply to sad little money grubbers who have never taken an interest in their heritage and only want to exploit the myth of free monies from the government. Would you apply for a scholarship meant for Black students, just because you had one black person somewhere in your lineage?

     Reply
2. ken says:

   March 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

   I recall one of the best lady fancy shawl dancers as Ramona Roach. At the time she was dancing, she did steps and shawl moves I have yet to see duplicated. She was a pleasure to watch her grace and beauty she brought to the dance!

   Reply
   • Nancy Smith says:

     January 26, 2013 at 7:15 pm

     I recently did a mixed media of this lovely lady from a picture that I found in a magazine (I think National Geaographic) not sure. My problem is that I only cut out the picture with her name underneath. I would really like to know more about her, ie, what Native American tribe or anything else that you might be able to help me with. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and God Bless.

     Reply
3. SHERRI STEBBINS says:

   June 18, 2012 at 11:38 am

   I WOULD LIKE TO DANCE IN THE CHEROKEE POWWOW BUT I DO NOT HAVE A SHAWL. I AM FROM FAYETTEVILLE ,NC RAVEN ROCK CHEROKEE BAND FROM STANLEY BETANCOURT GROUP. I KNOW ALITTLE DANCE BUT NOT AS GOOD AS SOME OF THE GIRLS YOU HAVE. SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF WE CAN. THANK YOU SHERRI STEBBINS

   Reply
   • Paul G says:

     June 19, 2012 at 10:40 am

     Ask the arena director about that. Each event will have different standards.

     Reply
4. Sara J says:

   November 6, 2012 at 9:08 am

   I’m Sara and I would like to dance at the Chickahomany pow-wow’s for Fancy Shawl, do you have any tips on dancing?

   Reply
   • Paul G says:

     November 6, 2012 at 4:44 pm

     Check our forums

     Reply

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