Pow Wow Dances


Pow Wow Dances

Learn about the different pow wow dance styles and social dances, honor dances, war dances, and more.

 

Article Index:

Cherokee Butterfly Legend

Some say the modern day Pow Wow competition dance known as the Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance has its roots in a ceremonial dance called the Butterfly Dance. Here is a Cherokee account of how that dance came to be.

Crow explanation of how the ladies Fancy Shawl Dance competition began

At Crow Fair in Montana, I was told another story about the Fancy Shawl Dance. While the Crow people also equate this dance form as an expression of re-emergence and renewal of life forces, they have a very different explanation of how it began. Their version goes like this:

Dance Regalia of the Fancy Shawl Dancer

This article gives a general overview of the proper attire for a Fancy Shawl Dancer. Rather than the double-bustle the early Crow girls wore to dance the Fancy Dance, today’s Fancy Shawl dancer wears a dress made of a shiny fabric such as taffeta or satin.

Denver March Pow Wow Grass Dance Finals Video
Hoop Dance – Pow Wow Dances
Kiowa Gourd Dance Society history and traditions
Men’s Grass Dance
Men’s Traditional Dance
Men’s Fancy Dance
Old Style Side Step Jingle Dance
Owl Dance
Red Earth Pow Wow Championship of Champions Contest
Sneak Up Dance
Team Pow Wow Dancers
The Crow Hop
The gourd dance and gourd dance rattles
The Kiowa Gourd Dance was once part of the Sun Dance
The Round Dance
The War Dance
Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance