The Web Site for the Study of Native American Pow-Wow Ettiquette and Tradition

The Hoop Dance comes from the Southwest. It is is a dance for that exhibits an individual's flexibility, skill, and training.

The Hoop Dance is usually only done as an exhibition of a single dancer. It is usually arranged between the dancer, the drum, and the Master of Ceremonies. The Hoop dance is a good way to break up the routine of a powwow and to give the other dancers a rest.

In the Hoop Dance is a solo dance where an individual dances with several hoops, similar to hoola hoops

The Hoop Dancer usually starts the dance with a single hoop, jumping through it several times. As the dance progresses, he picks up more hoops and begins to form more and more complex tricks. Examples of the tricks might include mimicking bird wings, geometric patterns, and forming freestanding balls. Some dancers may even ignite parts of their hoops in fire as part of their show.

During a hop dancers routine, it is customary for other dancers and the audience to applaud the tricks the hoop dancer performs. This can be done by clapping, yelling, or shaking of dancers bells.

Commonly, the hoop dancer takes place in the rest of the powwow as a fancy, grass, or traditional dancer. He usually only hoop dances for the special exhibitions.