Gentgeen

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

Early in the Pow-Wow, the drum will likely play several round dances. Round dances signify the uniting of the dancers and all people.

Round Dances can danced by all dancers.

In the round dance, dancers face the drum and dance in the direction of the drum. The drumbeat is a 1-2 pattern. On the "One" the lead foot is moved "forward" to the movement of circle, and they are brought back together on the "two". This causes dancers to shuffle around the circle.

When there is a mixture of dancer types, the faster dancers (fancy, grass, shawl) form circles around the center of the dancer arbor. Slower dance styles form separate circles outside of the faster dancers.

The round dance is good for the beginning or end of the Pow-Wow, because it allows visitors to see all the dancers in one dance and they can enjoy all of the colorful outfits.

Some tribes may have a round dance where the dancers do not bring their hand articles, but hold hands and are lead though different movements by the head dancers. This borrows from the country square dance routines. This style of round dance is good for audience participation, especially when children are involved.