Historical Context
History and Details About the Dance
The Sun Dance has a rich and complex history, dating back centuries. It is believed to have originated as a way to honor the sun and ensure a bountiful harvest. However, the exact origins of the dance are unclear. In an account from Robert H. Lowie, a Southern Ute shaman credits the Kiowa nation for the origins of the Sun Dance ceremony, but others credit the Mandan and Hidatsa Okipa ceremony for the roots of the dance (Lowie 393-410). As a spiritual movement, it quickly gained traction during the 18th century, during a period where colonial forces rapidly encroached on many Great Plains tribes and their land.
As a result of this colonial encroachment, the government relocated many Great Plains tribes onto reservations. There, they imposed a series of codes to limit religious freedom. The Religious Crimes Code was a series of laws enacted by the U.S. government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that aimed to suppress Indigenous religious practices. These laws, which were often enforced through violence and intimidation, made it difficult or impossible for many Indigenous communities to practice the Sun Dance and other traditional ceremonies. The Religious Crimes Code was a deliberate attempt to eradicate Indigenous cultures and assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society.
Despite the challenges posed by the Religious Crimes Code, the Sun Dance did not die out completely. Indigenous communities continued to practice the ceremony in secret, often facing great risks and persecution. Eventually, as awareness of the injustices perpetrated against Indigenous peoples grew, efforts were made to challenge the Religious Crimes Code and protect the right of Indigenous communities to practice their traditions. In the late 20th century, the Religious Crimes Code was largely repealed, and Indigenous peoples began to reclaim their cultural heritage and revive the Sun Dance and other traditional ceremonies.
The most important symbol of the dance is the center pole of the ritual space. While other symbols vary between tribes, such as the Kiowa utilizing the Taimei at the center of their dances, or the Crow utilizing many medicine bundles, the center pole remains a constant between all communities. The pole not only holds marks where the Sun Dance takes place, but also represents The Creator. As a result, dancing around the pole represents getting closer to the Creator, and ascending spiritually.
A drawing depiction of the Shoshone Sun Dance by Kiowa artist Silver Horn
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