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

Perhaps the most common form of Native Dancer, the traditional dancer reflects the old ways of the plains warrior.

With the Pans-Indian movement in the 1970's the distinction between specific a tribe's heritage has been blurred for the dancers of the pow wows today. All across the country, traditional dancers all celebrate the dance styles of The Sioux and other plains tribes as symbols of their common native culture.

The Traditional dancer is an evolution of the Old Style dancer. However, he is not bound by the materials and customs of an former time. The clothes of the Traditional Dancer are a reflection of today's trends in Native Danceware.

The clothes of the Traditional Dancer are similar to an Old Style Dancer. Every year, changes in color, design, and style make their way though the pow wow fashion scene just as they do in main stream America. Currently, there are several identifying traits of the traditional dancer:

• the chest usually features a long breast plate, made out of bone or plastic. If an otter pelt is worn, it is worn like a sash.
• a single large bustle, often using extensions on the out row of feathers to increase its size. The center of the bustle lacks a "mess section", and commonly is decorated with shells, mirrors, or CDs.
• aprons instead of breech cloths, with shorts beneath
• the knees are usually decorated with leather fringe, and the ankles with argyle.
• the roach worn on the forehead, close to the hair line
• color schemes are dependent largely on personal preference and style, but they a usually well coordinated over all of the dancer's clothes.

The primary dance step of the Traditional Dancer is the Toe-Heel. In the Toe-Heel, the ball of the heel is bounced on the ground on beat one, then the same foot is set on the ground on beat two. For beats three and four the same is done with the opposite foot, allowing the dancer to "walk" around the circle. The traditional dancer usually begins moving when the lead drummer sings the first line of a song.

The dancers knees should be slightly bent but he keeps his feet underneath him. His back should be slightly bent but with his head high. His arms are bent with his elbows out but his hands close to his side. His head bobs slightly like a birds walking, with his chin up.

When done correctly, the Traditional Dancer should resemble a bird, a tracker, and a proud warrior.