Cloth Dancing

Ladies Cloth is a form of Native American women’s dress and dance and has both a Northern and Southern style. The Southern style is danced by the Kiowas, Osage, Ponca, and others. The Northern style is danced by the Sioux, Crow, and others. The dance is a slow and graceful one much like the Women’s Buckskin style.

There are many variations among Native American Tribes with the outfit, including wearing a cloth dress or a wool dress and others. The basic outfit consists of several parts. The boots are a high top moccasin that is usually partially beaded. The dress is a long dress with open sleeves. The bottom of the dress is covered in a wrap that is usually a contrasting color or pattern. The wrap is sometimes fringed like a shawl. This style has a breast plate similar to the buckskin dress. This breastplate however has a front and back to it as opposed to the one sided style worn by buckskin dancers. The belt is either silver conchos or beaded with a drag. The women also wear three other items on the belt. They are the awl case, strike a lite bag and tobacco pouch. The dancer sometimes wears a scarf and choker. They also will carry a fan, purse and shawl.  This type of dance is a truly beautiful aspect of Native American culture.

Find out more in the cloth forum.

See more pictures of cloth dancers in the cloth dance gallery.

 

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

3 Responses to “Cloth Dancing”

1. Starr Smith says:

   October 4, 2011 at 11:46 am

   I am Part Cherokee and I am looking for a pattern to make the dresses. More often then not I am more comfortable in the Native American dress styles. And I would love to make me a fancy style Shawl. Anyone out there willing to help me. Thank you. I also want to make my own moccasin high top and low.

   Reply
   • Paul G says:

     October 4, 2011 at 4:38 pm

     You can visit our Craft’s forum. You can find help there.

     http://www.powwows.com/gathering

     Thanks!

     Reply
2. dinecitywoman says:

   February 2, 2012 at 9:12 pm

   Curious and want to check out southern clothe along with moccasins and bead style from Kiowa’s

   Reply

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