| The Ghost Dance Religion had no
written text. All teaching and presentations were transmitted orally only.
Followers of the religion believed in frequent meditation, ceremonial
cleansing, prayer and most importantly dancing. The dance itself was
unique. Other Indian dances were fast paced and had loud drumming, while
the Ghost Dance was more of a slow shuffle with no drums. The dance
movements followed the course of the sun. The dance was also unique
because both men and women participated. In other dances men were the
primary dancers, singers, and musicians. The dances was preformed for four
to five days at a time in some tribes. The dance was accompanied by
singing and chanting, but no drumming. Some tribes even made "ghost
shirts." Which were special garments that were believed to be
completely invincible, even by the whites primary weapon source, guns. The
shirts were decorated with signs of religious significance, stars, suns,
moons, and eagle feathers. In Big Foot's tribe, which consisted mostly of
women who had lost there husbands in battle with Custer, Miles, and Crook, danced until they collapsed or passed out. Hoping to insure the
return of there deceased warriors. |
Ghost Dance
Ghost Shirt
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