Contemporary Cultures

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The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
Episode 7

Photo

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

Photo

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

Photo

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

Photo

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

Photo

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

Photo

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...
Making Baskets | Gullah Net

Video

The Gullah tradition of creating coiled grass baskets is a craft that has been handed down from generation to generation. Instead of weaving the baskets, a needle made from a spoon handle, bone or...
Songs | Gullah Net

Audio

Music is another important part of life on the Sea Islands. Most of the Gullah music is found in religious practices. Although spirituals had a Christian message, they were heartfelt expressions of...