Native American Jingle Dance

The Jingle Dress dance at Powwow competitions was first realized in a dream by a spiritual person. When he woke up he asked the women of his family to make the dress he saw in his dream and then explained how they were to dance.  The dance was a gift from the Creator to the Ojibway tribe to use for healing.  The dance was picked up but the Lakota and Dakota tribes and used to promote healing.

The seven tiers of cones on the dress were originally rolled up Copenhagen snuff lids. Now they are made of several metals. Deer hooves and bird bones can also be used to help make noise when the woman is dancing. The dress is also decorate  with ribbon, applique, paint, and bead work. They wear matching moccasins, leggings, hair decorations, and purses.  The modern Jingle Dress dancer may also carry a feather fan and have feathers in their hair. The fan is raised during the honor beats of a song to receive healing. Traditional dancers don't have the feathers and just raise their hands during the honor beats.

Below is a short video of a Jingle Dancer I captured at the Tamkaliks Celebration in Wallowa County this past weekend. I have a longer version but couldn't figure out how to get it downloaded from my phone.

Enjoy!