LAKE GENEVA POWWOW

Father's Day Weekend
LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN

Women's Regalia and Dances

Shawls

The shawl that the women carry in the arena as they dance has significant meaning. To the casual observer, these shawls may look like very ornate and beautiful pieces of art and craft, with fringes, applique, beads, and embroidery, or they may be pieces of cloth or blanket material with a simple border. But no matter what level of personal expression or heritage is displayed in the shawl, it's more than just a piece of clothing to the people who understand its real meaning.

The shawl also has a sacred purpose: to honor the women ancestors who walked "the Trail of Tears" and other paths of forced migration. Anything that could possibly be used as a weapon was taken from the people. Women had to leave their sewing kits and other such tools behind. The only thing they were allowed to carry was a blanket to comfort the elderly and protect the children from the cold. The women's ability to provide comfort and nurturing to their families and communities was severely hampered by hardship and a lack of basic things we take for granted. Yet these women endured and made do with what they had. It is their sacrifice, their endurance, and their devotion to the people that is honored by the women who carry their shawls proudly and respectfully into the arena.

Women's Traditional Dance

The woman's traditional dance is a graceful, dignified up-and-down movement of the body. Regalia generally consists of a beautifully decorated dress made of buckskin or trade cloth, but there are many variations, depending on tribal affiliation and the dancer's own personal designs. Most traditional dancers carry a shawl and a feather fan.

Fancy Shawl Dance

The fancy shawl dance is a relatively new, more stylistic approach that is often chosen by young women. Unlike the earlier styles, which were calm and gentle, this dance is an energetic splash of color, fringe, and flying shawl, each step so quick and light that the woman appears to be dancing on air. The main piece of the regalia for this dance is the shawl, which is decorated with a design chosen by the dancer and heavily fringed or ribboned at the edge. The movement of the shawl is said to imitate a butterfly's wings, so the color scheme is very important. A lightweight fabric is chosen for the dress rather than buckskin or trade cloth, so that the dancer will not become overheated. Ankle moccasins and leggings cover the legs.

Jingle Dress Dance

Several stories exist regarding the origin of the jingle dress. One story says that a man's daughter was ill, and he prayed for a cure. In a dream, a woman came to him and showed him how to make a medicine dress that would heal his daughter. When the dress had been made and a ceremony had been completed, the man's daughter became well again. The jingle dress is similar to the traditional women's trade cloth dress, but it is adorned by hundreds of silver-colored snuff lids bent into a cone shape. These jingles add their own music to the beat of the drum.

Learn More

Etiquette
Powwow Staff
The Arena
The Four Circles
The Spirit Fire
The Songs
Men's Dances
Women's Dances
Social Dances
Powwow Calendar