Native American Dances, Creek Country A to Z

Creek Country A to Z

Creek Country now consists of Georgia and Alabama, but 160 years ago, it was ruled by the mighty Creek Confederacy. Join me as I explore ancient Creek Country from Adela to Zachariah, the Battle of Burnt Corn to the Yamassee War. And everything in between.

D, for Dances

We’ve all seen the old Westerns and their stereotypical plot...

Wagon train members huddle in bunches. They clutch rifles and axes in a white-knuckled grip, as distant drumbeats carry across the plains all through the black night. The tempo increases, growing louder and striking fear in every pioneer heart. They can just image half-naked, painted savages dancing in increasing frenzy around a fire, war written in their eyes. 

Then, silence. If the pioneers thought the drums were bad, they soon learn the silence is worse. Much worse. Dawn breaks and with it, their sanity. Along the ridge is a seemingly endless line of mounted Natives, staring. Waiting.

It’s the stuff classic drama is made of, and much of it from the old movies isn't accurate. So, what really happened during Native dances? Why did they dance and when?

Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, 2011

I can’t speak on the Plains Indians, and I’m no expert on Southeastern either, but what I’ve learned, I’ll gladly share, always open to correction and guidance.

When Did They Dance?

Before ball play. Ball play was war-like version of lacrosse. Yes, it was a game, but it was serious, dangerous business (sounds like another blog post in the making!). Towns played against each other, but the night before they met on the designated field, they each held their own dances. The Choctaw wouldn’t reveal the location of the dance until the last minute for fear the opposing town would make a potion out of rabbit hamstrings and sprinkle it on the ground, making weak any man who danced there. Women and men alike participated in the pre-game dance, although after the women went to bed, the men stayed up all night. To go to sleep before a game was a disgrace.

During the Poskeeta, or Green Corn Ceremony. The Poskeeta is also another post for another day, but in short, it was a week-long yearly festival/ritual in which the Muscogee gave thanks for the new corn. To quote, Charles Hudson in The Southeastern Indians, “We would have something approaching the Green Corn Ceremony if we combined Thanksgiving, New Year’s festivities, Yom Kippur, Lent, and Mardi Gras.” It was a big deal, and their dances proved it. The dances included the animal dance, which was done in honor of animals that were considered unfriendly to man. (Through the dances, the Creek hoped to placate them.) There was also the stomp dance, the old dance, the feather/peace dance, among others.

After war. Yes, after. That is, until the Shawnee, Tecumseh, came through the Southeast and taught them to dance before they went to war. The chiefs who wished peace with the Americans were aggravated with Tecumseh for teaching these new dances.

Why Did They Dance?

There were many reasons, “for the Creek were a people who enjoyed dancing almost as much as ball play.” –The Old Beloved Path by William W. Winn.

*As an act of prayer and worship. 

*In rites of passage or initiation.

*For healing.

*Out of respect for traditions.

*As an expression of unity.

Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, 2011 

Odds and Ends

Everyone wore their best clothes to the dances. The women had a particular fondness for colorful ribbons, which streamed from their hair hanging nearly to the ground. They strapped tortoise shell rattles to their legs, which they stomped in time with the drums. I imagine it was tiring business, especially in the heat. Feathers were a significant part of the men’s attire, each having a specific meaning. 

Since my posts deal with Creek Country (which no longer exists), I've written in past tense, but Native American dances continue all over the nation in much the same way they always have--minus the raids on wagon trains. :-) If you live in an area that still celebrates their Native American heritage, I encourage you to learn more.

Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, 2011 

Last year, at the 2011 Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, I attended my first live Indian dances. I could have sat there all day, listening and watching. Can’t wait for this year’s event! Maybe I’ll work up the courage to join in this time. 

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To experience the Creek Indians through story, I invite you to read my Creek Country Saga.  

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Helpful sites to learn more about Native American dance.
http://www.powwows.com/ 
http://www.perdidobaytribe.org/