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This pen and ink drawing is a Native American in full
dress for a dancing ceremony at a powwow.
The Native Americans
have many dances; but each has its own name, steps and
movements. Each dance also has its own special song,
history and usually its own symbolism. There are dances
for men and women together, some in which men and women
dance by themselves and others in which individuals
dance alone.
Many dances employ
masks that are symbolic in both form and color. In some
tribes feathers are the principal decoration. No matter
what the purpose of each dance or which steps are used,
the dance always presents two characteristics, dramatic
action and rhythmic precision.
Only men perform the
dances that have great activity. Usually the dance is
performed in a small space or in one specific spot. The
changes of attitude in some dances are sometimes rapid
and violent. But when the Native American dances, he
always dances with freedom and every movement is vivid
and natural.
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