Grass Dancing costume rules?

NativePassion · 02-24-2007, 04:52 PM

I am a relative newbie to the world or Grass Dancing. I danced for a while a few years ago but not since. I am looking to get back into it. I want to make new regalia and I have a few ideas going but I don't know what is appropriate or not. The biggest thing is that I am wondering if it is okay to put bead or quill work on my aprons. Aside from this I am curious as to wether or not there are any other specifc rules or regulations or just things that are frowned upon?

anishinabealltheway · 02-24-2007, 05:29 PM

Are you a boyscout?

NativePassion · 02-24-2007, 09:49 PM

No I am not. I am just trying to make sure that I don't ruffle any feathers by doing something that shouldn't be done.

anishinabealltheway · 02-25-2007, 02:49 AM

I asked because one doesn't usually hear skins use the term "costume" when speaking of a dance outfit.

Standard grass regalia includes a yolk and/or Ribbon shirt aprons and pants or leggings all with fringe made with yarn and/or ribbon it is most common to see these Items decorated with applique ribbonwork, but, you could bead or quill them if you wish. Beaded or quilled cuffs, headband, side drops, belt, and harness (suspenders) and butt tabs are also standard as well as beaded mocs, bells, neck kerchief with a beaded slide or a beaded or bone choker and of course a hair roach.

The way that you attach your roach feathers is personal preference but the swivel style is considered northern, and the rocker and the spring style is more southern.

Fluffs are sometimes attached to the yolk or shirt, aprons and sometimes the back end of the roach.

Most grass dancers don't carry anything in their hands however I carry an eagle talon stick and a eagle wing fan. some carry some kind of circle such as a braid of sweetgrass or a medicine wheel, although you don't see that as much now as we did a few years ago. Whip sticks are comming in vogue now as well.

Some other things that look sharp are crow necklaces, beaded collars, beaded arm bands angora anklets scarves hanging from arm bands or off of the side of a belt. but are not necessary.

That is pretty much all that I can think of at the moment. If anything else comes to mind I will let you know.

Good luck and I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions let me know.

NativePassion · 02-25-2007, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the help. As for reffering to the regalia as a "costume" I apologize for that. I know it is a bit degretory, or could be considered as such. I did start dancing when I was with boyscouts, which is where I picked it up I guess. But now I am no longer with them and as I really have no idea about what to do or not to do, your info has been most helpful. I have a very plain constume now but with any luck in a little while I will have a new costume. Thanks again that has helped me alot.

**billyjoejimbob** · 02-26-2007, 06:02 PM

Recently it looks like the more beadwork the better.

belt and side tabs, cuffs, armbands, nacklace, sashes, headband spreader, who is to say that beaded aprons arent too far off.

I have even seen beaded yokes with collar and tie on grass dancers.

go for it. they'll catch up.

sookout sh'nob · 02-26-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anishinabealltheway

I asked because one doesn't usually hear skins use the term "costume" when speaking of a dance outfit.

You hear it a lot out at the remote territories.

anishinabealltheway · 02-26-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sookout sh'nob

You hear it a lot out at the remote territories.

Where is that? The only people I hear use that term is spectators and boyscouts. Many in my area even get real offended at it.

NativePassion · 02-27-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anishinabealltheway

Where is that? The only people I hear use that term is spectators and boyscouts. Many in my area even get real offended at it.

I do apologize again if I offended anyone by saying that. I was a boy scout and did pick it up there. I won't use it again though. but please don't think of me as just another boy scout. this has a meaning for me that goes beyond that. Hence why I started this thread. I have no tribal heritage that I can prove. And as I haven't grown up in or around that setting, I want to make sure that I don't do something that is against tribal customs, or something that will ruffle feathers. I want to show this style of dancing all possible respect. So as I said please don't think of me as just another boy scout. And again I apologize for any offense that I caused anyone.

NativePassion · 02-27-2007, 01:19 AM

I have one mroe question for anyone that is willing to answer this. When I danced a few years ago, I was told that it was a good idea to stick an old AOL CD under my spreader to spread my roach out even further, as well as to add some shine to my regalia. Now since then I have looked at numerous pictures and videos and I haven't seen so much as one person with anything similar to that in his roach. This has lead me to the conclusion that the CD is not a good idea to use. Am I right or is there something else that I am missing?

Nezbah · 02-27-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NativePassion

I have one mroe question for anyone that is willing to answer this. When I danced a few years ago, I was told that it was a good idea to stick an old AOL CD under my spreader to spread my roach out even further, as well as to add some shine to my regalia. Now since then I have looked at numerous pictures and videos and I haven't seen so much as one person with anything similar to that in his roach. This has lead me to the conclusion that the CD is not a good idea to use. Am I right or is there something else that I am missing?

Actually I did see a CD used on a roach this weekend. But to me using CD's is a cheap way to 'shine'. LOL. Have someone do your beadwork on your spreader and spinners with luster beads or really 'shiny' ones....LOL. It looks better and not so lazy or 1/2 a$$ed.... Personally, I would never use a CD on my sons digs... I do all his beadwork. Find a local beader to do your work, I am sure there are natives around there who will do it.

NativePassion · 02-27-2007, 04:49 PM

Thanks. I do have a german silver spreader that I won in a drawing a few years back. I use it all the time.. I came to the same conclusion as you about the CD. I just wanted to see what other people thought. As for hte beadwork. I am trying to do all my own beadowrk, that way my regalia is all my own. Only thing I might buy is my moccasins, and some other small stuff. but the bulk of it I want to make on ym own. Thanks for your input.

**billyjoejimbob** · 02-27-2007, 09:33 PM

My parents say costume. It drives me nuts.

sookout sh'nob · 03-01-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anishinabealltheway

Where is that? The only people I hear use that term is spectators and boyscouts. Many in my area even get real offended at it.

Okay, I'm going to tell you something now here.

When you get into thse remote areas, places where you get isolation pay (Northern Canada, James Bay), a lot of times they don't talk like the rest of the world does. A lot of these people are maybe second generation English speakers, and then too that's their second language. They talk the Ojibwe to each other and English when they want outsiders involved in the conversation.

Their English is pretty good, but their vocabulary and community-wide speech patterns for English were typically put in place by the missionaries and boarding schools. Those guys, they didn't say REGALIA much, instead they taught COSTUME. Now, check out what the dictionary says about costume - note the first two definitions:

1. A style of dress, including accessories and hairdos, esp. that peculiar to a nation, region, group, or historical period.

2. A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.

3. An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.

and the etymology (history of the word) here:

costume
1715, art term, from Fr., from It., from L. consuetudo "custom," and essentially the same word as custom but arriving by a different etymology. From "customary clothes of the particular period in which the scene is laid," meaning broadened by 1818 to "any defined mode of dress." Costume jewelry is first attested 1933.

-Online Etymology Dictionary

If the contemporary western based definition is removed, then so is the prejudice towards the word, the you can see it's usage just ain't so bad.
My mom says costume all the time. My brother calls em Sunday Clothes and my uncle says "yer indian duds."

So, to my thinking, sweating someone calling it a costume is like sweating whether or not people in traffic think I'm a loser because I'm an Indian guy (who couldn't possibly own a car) and my wife is driving my car (it must be hers) on the way to work. That's my thoughts on this costume business anyhow.

**billyjoejimbob** · 03-01-2007, 05:16 PM

Here is my take from personal experience.

When you dont have the time or patience or are just too lazy to do beadwork....you try flashy things like cds, sequin, mylar, etc.

That was me.

02-24-2007, 04:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
NativePassion Grass Dancer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	Grass Dancing costume rules? I am a relative newbie to the world or Grass Dancing. I danced for a while a few years ago but not since. I am looking to get back into it. I want to make new regalia and I have a few ideas going but I don't know what is appropriate or not. The biggest thing is that I am wondering if it is okay to put bead or quill work on my aprons. Aside from this I am curious as to wether or not there are any other specifc rules or regulations or just things that are frowned upon? Last edited by NativePassion; 02-28-2007 at 01:30 AM.

02-24-2007, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
anishinabealltheway Fancy/ Grass dancer. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 459	Are you a boyscout? __________________ Niin sa, Chi anung

02-25-2007, 02:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
anishinabealltheway Fancy/ Grass dancer. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 459	Alright Here I go. I asked because one doesn't usually hear skins use the term "costume" when speaking of a dance outfit. Standard grass regalia includes a yolk and/or Ribbon shirt aprons and pants or leggings all with fringe made with yarn and/or ribbon it is most common to see these Items decorated with applique ribbonwork, but, you could bead or quill them if you wish. Beaded or quilled cuffs, headband, side drops, belt, and harness (suspenders) and butt tabs are also standard as well as beaded mocs, bells, neck kerchief with a beaded slide or a beaded or bone choker and of course a hair roach. The way that you attach your roach feathers is personal preference but the swivel style is considered northern, and the rocker and the spring style is more southern. Fluffs are sometimes attached to the yolk or shirt, aprons and sometimes the back end of the roach. Most grass dancers don't carry anything in their hands however I carry an eagle talon stick and a eagle wing fan. some carry some kind of circle such as a braid of sweetgrass or a medicine wheel, although you don't see that as much now as we did a few years ago. Whip sticks are comming in vogue now as well. Some other things that look sharp are crow necklaces, beaded collars, beaded arm bands angora anklets scarves hanging from arm bands or off of the side of a belt. but are not necessary. That is pretty much all that I can think of at the moment. If anything else comes to mind I will let you know. Good luck and I hope this helps you. If you have any other questions let me know. __________________ Niin sa, Chi anung Last edited by anishinabealltheway; 02-25-2007 at 02:51 AM.

02-26-2007, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
billyjoejimbob Fat Singer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: white guy land Posts: 1,525	beadwork Recently it looks like the more beadwork the better. belt and side tabs, cuffs, armbands, nacklace, sashes, headband spreader, who is to say that beaded aprons arent too far off. I have even seen beaded yokes with collar and tie on grass dancers. go for it. they'll catch up. __________________ There are 2 types of people in the world... Really stupid people who think they are smart and Really smart people who think they are smart.

02-27-2007, 04:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
NativePassion Grass Dancer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	Thanks. I do have a german silver spreader that I won in a drawing a few years back. I use it all the time.. I came to the same conclusion as you about the CD. I just wanted to see what other people thought. As for hte beadwork. I am trying to do all my own beadowrk, that way my regalia is all my own. Only thing I might buy is my moccasins, and some other small stuff. but the bulk of it I want to make on ym own. Thanks for your input. __________________ Red, White, Black, Green, Pink and Purple Polka Dots. It's all the same to me.

02-24-2007, 09:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
NativePassion Grass Dancer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	No I am not. I am just trying to make sure that I don't ruffle any feathers by doing something that shouldn't be done.

02-25-2007, 09:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
NativePassion Grass Dancer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	Thanks for the help. As for reffering to the regalia as a "costume" I apologize for that. I know it is a bit degretory, or could be considered as such. I did start dancing when I was with boyscouts, which is where I picked it up I guess. But now I am no longer with them and as I really have no idea about what to do or not to do, your info has been most helpful. I have a very plain constume now but with any luck in a little while I will have a new costume. Thanks again that has helped me alot.

02-27-2007, 01:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
NativePassion Grass Dancer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10	I have one mroe question for anyone that is willing to answer this. When I danced a few years ago, I was told that it was a good idea to stick an old AOL CD under my spreader to spread my roach out even further, as well as to add some shine to my regalia. Now since then I have looked at numerous pictures and videos and I haven't seen so much as one person with anything similar to that in his roach. This has lead me to the conclusion that the CD is not a good idea to use. Am I right or is there something else that I am missing?

02-27-2007, 09:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
billyjoejimbob Fat Singer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: white guy land Posts: 1,525	My parents say costume. It drives me nuts. __________________ There are 2 types of people in the world... Really stupid people who think they are smart and Really smart people who think they are smart.

03-01-2007, 05:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
billyjoejimbob Fat Singer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: white guy land Posts: 1,525	Here is my take from personal experience. When you dont have the time or patience or are just too lazy to do beadwork....you try flashy things like cds, sequin, mylar, etc. That was me. __________________ There are 2 types of people in the world... Really stupid people who think they are smart and Really smart people who think they are smart.

03-02-2007, 07:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
anishinabealltheway Fancy/ Grass dancer.