LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Social Dances… Entertainment?

 


Music and dance are an important part of the social culture for Native American communities. This is the time when all the ‘nice looking’ individuals are identified as your cousins, after all!

Music and dance are a major part of the lives of Haudenosaunee people.

Music is the language of the spirits.

The drum, (water drum, skin, hand drum) is the heartbeat of the Nation and ‘calls’ everyone to get up and move. Equally as important is the singing.

At the NYS Fair Iroquois Village a large variety of traditional dances are performed. Each dance had its own special name, steps, songs, history, and meaning. Some dances included both men and women while other dances were exclusively for one or the other. Many of the dances involved the dancers moving in a circle with the older dancers leading and the younger participants following to observe and learn the dance steps.

The origins of Smoke Dance may be unclear, but its current life of fiery steps and entrancing speed is generationally bound in one way that’s certain. Bill Crouse, Seneca artist and singer, said this in a 2008 interview with Indian Country Today about what we now call Smoke Dance: “Really, smoke dance started with the older singers trying to push young guys and give them an outlet to show off.”

For the past year, the NNATC Travel Troupe members have been sharing Mohawk culture, traditions and Social dance songs with residents living at Tsiionkwanonhso:te, and for this opportunity we are grateful.

I was sad to learn that some individuals felt this activity was ‘performing’ and was uncomfortable with it. As a summer student and part of the Travel Troupe in ’77, it was a privilege to share and educate others about Mohawk culture.

At Longhouse ceremonies, participants were reminded to dance for the Creator’s enjoyment and also get up and move for those individuals who cannot dance anymore due to physical ailments.

The enjoyment was evident on the faces of the frail elders who watched the Social Dance last Thursday at Tsiionkwanonhso:te. Call it ‘showing off’ or call it ‘skill’, Social dancing has a ‘medicinal’ effect on everyone gathered.

Niawen:kowa,

Teresa Doxtdator-David

Coordinator

1998 1st Smoke Dance Event

 

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