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The Scalp Dance
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"The Scalp Dance is given as a celebration of a victory; and amongst this tribe, as I learned whilst residing with them, danced in the night, by the light of their torches, and just before retiring to bed. When a war party returns from a war excursion, bringing home with them the scalps of their enemies, they generally 'dance them' for fifteen nights in succession, vaunting forth the most extravagant boasts of their wonderful prowess in war whilst they brandish their war weapons in their hands." (Plate 27)
1844
Catlin, George, 1796-1872
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W0143PD
WHi 69158
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The War Dance
1844
Group of men engaged in a war dance. They hold spears, axes, and bows. (Plate 29)
Ball-Play Dance
1844
Choctaw Indians performing dance (Plate 22)."As I have mentioned in former pages that for nearly all their hunts, wars, or games, the events of which the Indians superstitiously believe to be contr...
The Snow-Shoe Dance
1844
Indian dance on snowshoes. (Plate 14)."In the northern latitudes of America, where the winters are long and very severe, from the heavy falls of snow which accumulate for three or four months of th...
Bison-Dance of the Mandan Indians in front of Their Medicine Lodge in Mih-Tutta-Hangkush
1832
Bison-Dance of the Mandan Indians in front of their medicine lodge in Mih-Tutta-Hangkush.
Buffalo Dance
1844
Ceremonial Indian dance (Plate 8)."All tribes have their medicine songs particular for the hunting of each animal they choose to go in pursuit of, and by singing these songs they conciliate the sup...
