spirit dance
North American Indian culture
Also known as: winter dance
Learn about this topic in these articles:
Northwest Coast Indians
- In Northwest Coast Indian: Religion and the performing arts
…Coast peoples; known as the spirit dances, they were performed during the winter months.
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Plateau Indians
- In Plateau Indian: Belief systems
The winter or spirit dance was a ceremonial meeting at which participants personified their respective guardian spirits. Among the Nez Percé the dramatic performances and the songs were thought to bring warm weather, plentiful game, and successful hunts.
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