Native American Hoop Dancing

The circle, or a hoop, is a sacred symbol of many indigenous peoples. It can represent the items and patterns in nature, and it can also represent the circle of life and time. Because the symbol of the circle is so meaningful, many tribes use it for ceremonial purposes, most often used for dances. These hoops can be used to play the part of a variety of animals and actions as the dancer uses his/her arms, feet, and hands to place them. (George, 2020).

The circle is represented in the hoop(s) Indigenous hoop dancers use. The dancers never buy their hoops, but hand-make them from knowledge passed down through generations of tradition.The hoops were first made with willow-tree bark that was soaked in water, in order to become more bendable. It is not uncommon nowadays for hoops to be made with reed or plastic, so that they are stronger and last longer (Do you know).

Indigenous hoop dancers wear a special Native American clothing called a regalia. Each outfit is unique to the dancer. Each person adorns their regalia with glass beads, feathers, quills, shells, fringe, and more. Scarves and face paint are also used to accessorize the regalia (Tracey, 2011). The outfit worn is full of color, and it usually matches the hoops being used for the dance (Do you know).

The hoop dance is often performed at a celebration called a powwow. A powwow is when many indigenous people of diverse tribes come together to sing and dance in honor of their ancestors and traditions. The term powwow is derived from a curing ritual of a Northeast Algonquian nation. Nowadays, the term in the Native American nomenclature means to dance for an audience in an exhibition (Browner).