Post by Okwes on Aug 15, 2006 18:13:01 GMT -5
What do you look for in Indian dance contests?
By Debbie Bryce - Journal Writer
Fancy shawl entrants dance their way around the arena during Friday's Grand Entrance at the Shoshone-Bannock Festival in Fort Hall. Journal photo by Bill Schaefer
FORT HALL - Fluid movement, colorful costumes and mystic music combine to make Native American dancing a highlight of the annual Fort Hall festival.
But Drusilla Gould, of Fort Hall, said few people understand the philosophy or the purpose of the traditional art.
Men's traditional dance is slower paced, and regalia is generally crafted from natural material.
Gould said judges look to see if the dancer is in time with the drum and that his body movements are smooth. Traditional dancers are also judged on their attire.
“Basically, they follow the movement of certain things in nature,” she said.
Gould said some dancers incorporate family tradition into their routine.
“We have some dancers who imitate birds based on their family history,” she said.
Fancy dancing was introduced to the Shoshone from the Midwest. Costumes are more colorful and the dances are fast-paced.
Gould said judges look at the dancers' timing and rhythm.
“It's how they connect to the sound of the drum,” she said.
Grass dancers wear regalia constructed of yarn and fabric and feathers are worn only on the head gear.
The dancers imitate the movement of wind in the grass.
“It's a more graceful type of dance,” Gould said. “Originally they were the first ones to get to the dance site to bless the grounds.”
Women's traditional and fancy dance is judged on the same criteria as male dancers, but their costumes are simpler.
“Women wear buckskins or cloth dresses, some adorned with elk teeth. They dance gracefully,” Gould said. “They are respected because they are the givers of life and the teachers.”
The jingle dress dance came from the Ojibwe tribe.
“Some people call it a medicine dress,” she said.
Reigning Shoshone Bannock Little Princess Alyssa Two Eagles, 12, and Festival Queen hopeful, Kira Murillo, 13, both of Fort Hall, are competing in the jingle dance category. Both girls have danced since they could walk.
Two Eagles said grandmother Linda Osborne made most of her costumes.
She also competes in the fancy dance category, but said she enjoys jingle dancing the most.
“There's no shawl. Sometimes if it's windy it's hard to hold onto,” she said.
According to traditional Ojibwe folklore, a member of the tribe was sick and dying, and someone had a dream that instructed the people to make the dress and adorn it with cones.
“The sound of the cones brings blessings to the people,” Gould said.
More than 500 dancers to compete at Fort Hall event
FORT HALL - More than 500 Native American dancers are registered to compete during the annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival.
Drusilla Gould, a singing judge, said dancers compete for points in several categories.
“Judges are selected by their expertise in Indian dance,” she said.
When a category is called, all the dancers take the field and the judges award points based on fluid movement and the dancer's regalia.
Gould said children's dance is not competitive.
“We take pride in our children.” she said. “We want them to be comfortable in the arena.”
Gould said mothers often take infants into the arena in cradle boards, or might dance with toddlers.
“It's a way of honoring our little babies,” she said.
Two special dances were added to the festival this year.
A men's Buckskin and War Bonnet dance, sponsored by the Broncho family of Fort Hall, pays tribute to native veterans.
“They have family members in the service and in country,” Gould said.
The men's Round Bustle or Prairie Chicken dance is sponsored by the Powwow Committee.
Gould said sponsors put up prize money for special events.
Dance competition began Friday at the powwow grounds in Fort Hall.
- Debbie Bryce
By Debbie Bryce - Journal Writer
Fancy shawl entrants dance their way around the arena during Friday's Grand Entrance at the Shoshone-Bannock Festival in Fort Hall. Journal photo by Bill Schaefer
FORT HALL - Fluid movement, colorful costumes and mystic music combine to make Native American dancing a highlight of the annual Fort Hall festival.
But Drusilla Gould, of Fort Hall, said few people understand the philosophy or the purpose of the traditional art.
Men's traditional dance is slower paced, and regalia is generally crafted from natural material.
Gould said judges look to see if the dancer is in time with the drum and that his body movements are smooth. Traditional dancers are also judged on their attire.
“Basically, they follow the movement of certain things in nature,” she said.
Gould said some dancers incorporate family tradition into their routine.
“We have some dancers who imitate birds based on their family history,” she said.
Fancy dancing was introduced to the Shoshone from the Midwest. Costumes are more colorful and the dances are fast-paced.
Gould said judges look at the dancers' timing and rhythm.
“It's how they connect to the sound of the drum,” she said.
Grass dancers wear regalia constructed of yarn and fabric and feathers are worn only on the head gear.
The dancers imitate the movement of wind in the grass.
“It's a more graceful type of dance,” Gould said. “Originally they were the first ones to get to the dance site to bless the grounds.”
Women's traditional and fancy dance is judged on the same criteria as male dancers, but their costumes are simpler.
“Women wear buckskins or cloth dresses, some adorned with elk teeth. They dance gracefully,” Gould said. “They are respected because they are the givers of life and the teachers.”
The jingle dress dance came from the Ojibwe tribe.
“Some people call it a medicine dress,” she said.
Reigning Shoshone Bannock Little Princess Alyssa Two Eagles, 12, and Festival Queen hopeful, Kira Murillo, 13, both of Fort Hall, are competing in the jingle dance category. Both girls have danced since they could walk.
Two Eagles said grandmother Linda Osborne made most of her costumes.
She also competes in the fancy dance category, but said she enjoys jingle dancing the most.
“There's no shawl. Sometimes if it's windy it's hard to hold onto,” she said.
According to traditional Ojibwe folklore, a member of the tribe was sick and dying, and someone had a dream that instructed the people to make the dress and adorn it with cones.
“The sound of the cones brings blessings to the people,” Gould said.
More than 500 dancers to compete at Fort Hall event
FORT HALL - More than 500 Native American dancers are registered to compete during the annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival.
Drusilla Gould, a singing judge, said dancers compete for points in several categories.
“Judges are selected by their expertise in Indian dance,” she said.
When a category is called, all the dancers take the field and the judges award points based on fluid movement and the dancer's regalia.
Gould said children's dance is not competitive.
“We take pride in our children.” she said. “We want them to be comfortable in the arena.”
Gould said mothers often take infants into the arena in cradle boards, or might dance with toddlers.
“It's a way of honoring our little babies,” she said.
Two special dances were added to the festival this year.
A men's Buckskin and War Bonnet dance, sponsored by the Broncho family of Fort Hall, pays tribute to native veterans.
“They have family members in the service and in country,” Gould said.
The men's Round Bustle or Prairie Chicken dance is sponsored by the Powwow Committee.
Gould said sponsors put up prize money for special events.
Dance competition began Friday at the powwow grounds in Fort Hall.
- Debbie Bryce