Clothing (12)

Pow Wow grounds are set up as a circle, with the drums in the middle, and the dance area around it. The Dancers enter the arena from the East and move clockwise with the beat of the drum. All dancers enter the arena from the East because on the Medicine Wheel it is the place of new beginnings, new birth and re-birth, and awakenings. On the outside of the dance area there are vendors that sell food, artwork, supplies for making accessories for dance outfits such as hides, feathers and beads. (Click on the image for a larger view).

Usually the headband consisted of a finger-woven or beaded deerskin strip with tribal designs on it. This band was then tied around the brow with a feather or two tucked through the back. Not only eagle feathers but turkey, hawk, egret, and crane feathers were also used for Woodland Indian headbands.

Ribbon shirts are post-colonial dress shirts. Most people wear them at ceremonies and formal events.

A breech cloth is a long rectangular piece of cloth or deerskin. It is worn between the legs and tucked over a belt, so that the flaps fell down in front and behind. Sometimes it is also called a breech clout, loincloth, clout, or just a flap. In most Native American tribes, men used to wear some form of breech clout. The style was different from tribe to tribe. In some tribes, the breech cloth loops outside of the belt and then is tucked into the inside, for a more fitted look. Sometimes the breech cloth is much shorter and a decorated apron panel is attached in front and behind.

In Women's Fancy Shawl Dance, the ladies wear their shawls over their shoulders, and dance by jumping and spinning with the music. Particular emphasis is paid to the shawls, with elaborate designs, appliqué, ribbon work, and painting. Long fringe hangs from the edges of the shawl, and flies round the dancer as she moves to the music.

In Women's Traditional Dance is an shawl important item. This colorful, fringed shawl is carried over one arm, usually the one closest to the heart. The fringe of the shawl sways with the movement of the dancer.

Other Uses: Shawls are a very popular give-away item. Also, whenever a woman enters the dance arena without her dance outfit or regalia, she will most likely stop long enough to wrap a shawl around her shoulders.

http://www.crazycrow.com/crafts/shawls.php

A belt or sash was is to hang things off of and to hold up the breech cloth and leggings.

Native American leggings are long tube-like pant legs, usually made from buckskin or other soft leather. They are not connected to each other--there is one separate legging for each leg.

The Ojibwa mokizin is puckered at the top. This was usually made of three pieces, each a different kind of leather -the sole of the heaviest moosehide, the ankle flaps of thin, soft buckskin, and the inset or tongue of the finest caribou leather, elaborately decorated.

Ladies Cloth is a form of women’s dress and has both a Northern and Southern style. The Southern style is danced by the Kiowas, Osage, Ponca, and others. The Northern style is danced by the Sioux, Crow, and others. The dance is a slow and graceful one much like the Women’s Buckskin style.

There are many tribal variations with the outfit, including wearing a cloth dress or a wool dress and others. The basic outfit consists of several parts. The boots are a high top moccasins that is usually partially beaded. The dress is a long dress with open sleeves. The bottom of the dress is covered in a wrap that is usually a contrasting color or pattern. The wrap is sometimes fringed like a shawl. This style has a breast plate similar to the Buckskin dress. This breastplate however has a front and back to it as opposed to the one sided style worn by Buckskin dancers. The belt is either silver conchos or beaded with a drag. The women also wear three other items on the belt are the awl case, strike a lit and tobacco pouch. The dancer sometimes wears a scarf and choker. They also will carry a fan, purse and shawl.

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The oldest form of women’s dance, is Buckskin. This is a dance of elegance and grace. The movement is smooth and flowing.

The ladies wear fine, hand-crafted buckskin dresses, decorated with intricate bead designs. Northern dresses are fully beaded on the shoulders, or cape. Southern ones, the beadwork is mainly used to accent. They are equally beautiful. The women carry fringed shawls over one arm. Much like the Men’s

Traditional Dance, there are many tribal and regional differences in the outfitting of this women’s style. The jewelry is breath taking. Breastplates made from hair bone pipe, and glass beads can hang to the waist, or all the way to the ankles.

The latter is Northern, the former, Southern. Hair barrettes are hand beaded, and beaded pieces for the fur that hangs from the lady’s hair can be quite intricate indeed. Some ladies, who have either been princesses, or the younger ones who are princesses still, wear beaded crowns, given to them by their societies. The moccasins are either fully beaded (Northern), or accent beaded (Southern).

Buckskin Dancing Ladies’ Buckskin dancing is slow, and poised. Circling the drum, they bob to the beat of the drum, letting the long fringe on their sleeves sway in time. They carry a beaded purse, swinging it as well, and a shawl, folded on the arm, swaying likewise.

These highly respected women dance in rhythm with the drum by swaying and slightly bending at their knees. These movements are very slight. This slight movement, however, creates a beautiful effect in moving their leather fringe in a breezy swaying motion. Northern dresses usually have fully beaded yokes, while Southern dresses have appliqué beadwork.

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Women’s Traditional (Gchi-Anishinaabekwewag) Dance History

Women's Traditional is the oldest type of women's dance. It is sometimes referred to as Straight or Buckskin Dancing, and like Men's Traditional there are many tribal variations, including wearing a buckskin, cloth or wool dress.

There are two different types of regalia, the old style of hide dress and the new style of fabric and ribbon dress. Though few women wear the head dress today, mostly due to the comfort in hot summer days and the availability of hides. Even though there are different styles the women’s feet never completely leave the ground. The reasoning for this is they stay close to mother earth so she can bring them life, and sustain, nourish, and protect that life.

When you see women’s traditional dancing you’ll also see many men stand showing their honor and respect. While dancing the women will either move very gently across the earth or stand in place. This signifies who they are and the connection they have to Mother Earth and out Grandmother Moon. The women also always carry a shawl or a blanket over their left arm, closet to their heart; symbolizing their love for their, families, their clan members, and other Anishinaabeg.

Jiingtamok Anshinaabemowin Manual A Curriculum Guide

Pieces of the Regalia

Eagle Feather - Migizi Miigwan
Necklace - Naabkawaagan
Feather Fan - Miigni Bwiins
Shirt - Babagooyaan
Blanket or Shawl - Waabooyaan
Dress/Shirt - Mjigoodenth