Grass Dance
Grass Dance is a traditional men's competitive dance among various Indigenous American tribes, particularly those from the Plains region, including the Lakota, Crow, and Pawnee. It is believed to have roots in the Pawnee dance known as iruska, which symbolizes the "fire inside of all things" and is associated with the power to heal burns. Participants typically wear costumes adorned with grass and engage in dynamic movements that include athletic jumping, bending, and stomping, performing either individually or in pairs. The dance remains a significant part of pow-wow events across the United States, reflecting both competition and celebration.
Grass Dance societies usually have organized leadership roles, including a leader, a pipe keeper, and drummers, contributing to the rich cultural practices surrounding the dance. Competitions feature various categories based on age and style, with dancers judged on their rhythm, technique, and attire. The Grass Dance has evolved to incorporate a diverse range of drumming and singing sequences, and some tribes have dedicated music groups for this purpose. In contemporary times, it continues to play an essential role in the cultural identity of many Plains Indian tribes, merging traditional practices with modern expressions.
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Grass Dance
- TRIBES AFFECTED: Arapaho, Arikara, Assiniboine, Blackfeet, Crow, Gros Ventre, Hidatsa, Iowa, Kansa, Lakota, Menominee, Ojibwa, Omaha, Pawnee, Ponca
- SIGNIFICANCE: The Grass Dance is a men’s competitive dance believed to give the participants the power to heal burns
The Grass Dance is a competitive dance for men. It may have originated with the dance from the Pawnees known as the iruska, which means “the fire inside of all things.” The Pawnee man Crow Feather was given this ceremony of fire-handling and dancing, which confers on participants the power to heal burns. In the twenty-first century, the Grass Dance remained part of the dance competition at pow-wows along the summer circuit in the United States. Grass dancers wore grass tied to their costumes. During this Indigenous American dance, there was considerable athletic jumping, bending, and stomping. Dancers performed either individually or in pairs.
Grass Dance societies typically would have several officers: a leader, a pipe keeper, whip bearers, food servers, drummers, and singers. The competitive events can have several categories based on age and style. The Grass Dance has developed a large repertory of drumming and singing sequences. Participants are judged on their skill in keeping with the drum rhythm and for their dance style and outfits. Some tribes have music groups that specialize in Grass Dance songs. The Grass Dance continued to be regarded not only as a competitive event but also as a celebratory occasion. In the twenty-first century, the Grass Dance remained important to the culture of many Plains Indian tribes, combining both traditional and contemporary elements.
Bibliography
Blackbird, Ken. "Powwow Dances." Buffalo Bill Center of the West, centerofthewest.org/explore/plains-indians/powwow-dances. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.
"Grass Dancing - Native American Grass Dancer Regalia, Info & More." PowWows.com, 21 July 2011, www.powwows.com/grass-dancing. Accessed 26 Sept. 2024.