What is Native American Cloth Dancing

What is Native American 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.

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Cloth Dancing Photos

 

Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Paul G


14 Comments on “What is Native American Cloth Dancing”

  • Avatar for no

    no

    says:

    no

  • Avatar for Abby

    Abby

    says:

    Do cherokee also cloth dance?

  • Avatar for Abby

    Abby

    says:

    Do cherokee also jingle dress dance?

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

      Some Cherokee people dance different styles such as Jingle.

  • Avatar for Roberta Duckhead

    Hello, I am searching for otter wraps. I haven’t been on the pow wow trail in a long time but I’m looking for a vender at one of these pow wow’s. Can someone find one for me. I don’t need a full otter. Thanks

  • Avatar for Clar Eyelash

    Clar Eyelash

    says:

    Can someone share with me the history behind the bone necklace i.e. two sided breast plate for southern cloth outfits.

  • Avatar for alexis

    alexis

    says:

    lol

  • Avatar for alexis

    alexis

    says:

    wow soo glad we have copy and paste lol

  • Avatar for dinecitywoman

    dinecitywoman

    says:

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

  • Avatar for Starr Smith

    Starr Smith

    says:

    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.

    • Avatar for Paul G

      Paul G

      says:

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

      newpowwows.www.powwows.com/gathering

      Thanks!

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