Contemporary Cultures

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Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Episode 9

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Arts, Crafts and Food! Have you ever tasted fry bread or made a dreamcatcher? Powwows are great places to experience Native American crafts, clothing and food. Fry bread can be found at most powwows...
The Grass Dance | Periscope
The Grass Dance | Periscope
Episode 8

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The Grass Dance originated with northern tribes, and was eventually passed down to southern tribes. It gets its name from the tradition of tying sweetgrass to the belts of the dancers. Today, the...
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
Episode 7

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The Jingle Dress Dance is a dance for girls and women. The regalia for the Jingle Dress dance features a skirt adorned with small bells. The bells jingle loudly to the beat of the dances. This dance...
Fancy Dances | Periscope
Fancy Dances | Periscope
Episode 6

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Fancy Dances are more lively, colorful, and exaggerated. These dances began in the 20th century as different tribes around the country started meeting through powwows. The dancers shared moves and...
Traditional Dances | Periscope
Traditional Dances | Periscope
Episode 5

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Traditional Dances have been passed down many generations. The dances often represent a hunter as he stalks his prey, or a warrior looking for his enemies. Many of these dances originated with Native...
Dance | Periscope
Dance | Periscope
Episode 4

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One of the most important parts of a powwow is dancing. Dancers in fancy costumes perform steps to songs of the drum circle. Sometimes different tribes, or Indian Nations, dance together. This is...
The Drum Circle | Periscope
The Drum Circle | Periscope
Episode 3

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The Drum Circle symbolizes the heart beat of the earth. Thunderous powwow drums, sometimes called community drums, are made of wood and have heads of elk, moose, buffalo, horse, or cow. Native...
Intertribal Powwow | Periscope
Intertribal Powwow | Periscope
Episode 1

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Periscope attended an "Intertribal" Powwow in Columbia, South Carolina. An Intertribal Powwow invites Native Americans from all tribes, or Indian Nations, to attend. Among the many local tribes, we...