Cultural Experience- Native Pride Dancers
The Eagle Dance stood out for me due to its costumes. According to the narrator, she said they refer to the consumes as regalia. It is because they value the dancewear so high and represent high status. Eagle was always a sacred animal to the Native Americans. Traditionally, it was believed that the eagle communicated directly with the creator since it could soar so high. They believed that the eagle carried their dreams, message, and prayer to the creator. Therefore, the eagle feathers were crucial regalia for the women and men dancers. Interestingly, the dancer represents the bird. The bird is seen to soar high, serving a sacred animal proudly.
The Eagle Dance is also known as the War Dance. The dance was used to prepare for war, but it was also used in peace talks with other nations. The dance was symbolic to the Cherokee nation representing their strength and the commitment of their warriors. The dancers wear red paint or read regalia from the waist down. The color used is made from red ochre and bear grease. The red ochre symbolized blood or life while bear grease symbolized strength. The dancers wear to express ultimate commitment in confronting fear, especially on the battlefield and the hunt.
The dancers also carried war clubs. Traditionally, the warriors took war clubs in hand to hand combats. Then clubs symbolize their preparedness on the battlefield. Besides, the traditional dance served as a way of helping distressed families in society. In the dance, the act was symbolized by throwing valuables such as furs or wampum on the significant skin. The items were then distributed to the needy families after the dance.
The dancers have now changed their mission. Their mission is to preserve the Cherokee culture and pass it to future generations.
References
“Cherokee Eagle Dance | Native American Culture | PBS Learningmedia.” PBS Learningmedia, 2020, https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/natam.arts.dance.cheagle/native-american-culture-cherokee-eagle-dance/. Accessed 12 Apr 2020.
“Native Pride Productions, Inc. – Native American Dancers.” Nativepridearts.Org, 2020, http://nativepridearts.org/. Accessed 12 Apr 2020.