Northern Traditional Dancing

Northern Traditional Dancing

The Northern Traditional Dancer is a modern evolution of tribal outfits from the tribes of the Northern Plains such as Sioux, Blackfoot, Crow, Omaha and others.

Below is some information about the outfit's parts. It must be stressed that this is only a brief description as variations do exist from area to area and from tribe to tribe. Careful observation and research be undertaken before starting to construct this type outfit. On his head the Traditional Dancer wears a roach made of porcupine hair and deer tail hair. The longer porcupine hair is preferred because of it's movement. The roach spreader can be made of bone, metal, rawhide or leather. It can be carved, beaded, painted, etc. or just left plain. The roach feathers are inserted in sockets on the spreader, with two roach feathers being the usual number. The rocker spreader, popular with fancy dancers, is rarely seen. Occasionally one will see dancers wearing beaded headbands, often decorated with medallions or drops. Quilled wheels can also be worn in the hair.

Most dancers wear a shirt, either with or without ribbon decoration. Over the shirt is worn a breastplate that usually extends below the waist. Around the neck is a choker either of hair pipes and beads or a beaded strip. Many dancers also wear two bandoliers of hair pipes and beads or a 3 to 5 inch strip of otter or other fur decorated with mirrors or a combination of both. A vest can be worn either of cloth or leather and some vests are beaded.

Arm bands and cuffs can be either beaded or metal or a combination of the two such as beaded cuffs with metal arm bands. The breech cloth or aprons can be made of either cloth or leather and range from plain to heavily decorated. Around the waist many dancers wear a belt, which can be beaded or decorated with metal tacks or conchos.

Northern Traditional Special - 2018 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

On their legs most dancers wear beaded knee bands with 6 to 10 inch leather fringe hanging from the bottom edge. Around the ankles are worn angora “furs”. One may see the high fancy dance style furs worn with the bells tied on at the knees but this is less common. Although not as common, leggings can be worn in place of the furs and knee bands. Both the skin tube style and cloth flap leggings can be seen. When leggings are worn, the bells are tied round the knees. The bells can be almost any size and type. Fully or partially beaded, hard-soled moccasins are worn.

The feather bustle is usually the u-shaped type with a single row of wing or tail feathers and two spikes pointing upward. Sometimes additional rows of dyed and stripped feathers, fluffs or hackles are on the inside rwo of the bustle. Though not as common the circular bustle and the old style mess bustle are sometimes used, the latter being somewhat rare.

Pow Wow 101 Ep 5 Mens Traditional

In his hands, the dancer can carry a range of objects, commonly being a wing fan, pipe bag, dance stick, etc.

The movement in this style is one that is sometimes characterized as similar to a prairie chicken. The dancer is also said to be re-enacting the movement of a warrior searching for the enemy.

What is the Men's Traditional Dance?

Traditional Dance Photos

 

Last Updated on February 27, 2024 by Paul G

About Paul G

Paul G is the founder PowWows.com, who wears many hats as a business coach, photographer, and collector of quirky shirts. Paul started PowWows.com in 1996 while pursuing his graduate degree. With a passion for travel, he and his family hav  traveled the world, capturing unforgettable memories and photos. When he's not coaching or clicking, he's indulging in the magic of Disney.


9 Comments on “Northern Traditional Dancing”

  • Avatar for Essence

    Essence

    says:

    can someone tell me the origins of this dance

  • Avatar for bert elkriver

    bert elkriver

    says:

    greetings to you all.
    I am inquiring of the stories to some of the dances. I am researching the Northern Style Women’s Traditional Dance. What is the story behind it? What does it symbolize. Please respond.

    • Avatar for sharonseider

      sharonseider

      says:

      What is the significance of the tying on an apron in the Native American culture?

  • Avatar for Ruth Hayon

    Ruth Hayon

    says:

    I would love to learn some moves of pow wow tribal dance. Are there any videos I can buy anywhere. I’d give anything to learn it Thanks so much.

  • Avatar for Bruce Sandy

    Bruce Sandy

    says:

    Even though I am mils away and many days late to respond. The heart that the people who are asking for help is very humbling. f course someone comes forward to contribute to someone else moving in the pat the Creator wants them to move to. I wih I could humble myself like they have the courage to. Miigwech.

  • Avatar for Jan

    Jan

    says:

    I’m new into dancing and I would love to get started on a female dance outfit. I can’t sew and have a limited budget. Would someone please be willing to guide me through the process of getting an outfit put together? I would be very thankful and would be more than willing to return the favor. Thanks

  • Avatar for mark spiritwolf nelson

    mark spiritwolf nelson

    says:

    not sure if im even on the right page or if anyone can help me im live on a fix income but love to dance when i worked i had a fully beaded out fir im a northern traditonal dancer and love doing it but was forced from danceing this year when someone decided to steal my stuff from my home due to my income i can not afford to have another one beaded but would love to get back out and dance im looking for someone to make me a new one useing only cloth and maybe sew in my designe i like to have one don in blue and yellow for this is the colors im lookijng for my dance staff that was donated from one friend is yellow with a hawks foot and feathers my roach that was donated from another friend is blue nor i need someone to make a outfit im not asking for someone to donate it i would like to pay for it to be done just cant afford alot if there is someone that maybe even has a used one i will buy it im a big man so will need a items to fit me i thank anyone that can help and send many native blesings to them

    • Avatar for kaliq

      kaliq

      says:

      i can help you

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