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Recently, the Smoke Dance has been introduced into the powwow circuit. This dance originated with the Haudenosauee, and has been used as a show dance, as it has a quick tempo and is quite exciting to watch. The Haudenosaunee have many social dances that are used strictly for social purposes, separate from ceremonial dances. As the Smoke Dance was initially exhibited at east coast powwows, it became more popular, and a separate category was created.
The dance regalia of the Smoke Dance had evolved much like the fancy shawl clothing; as the Smoke Dance clothing tends to be very flashy. The women wear a cloth dress or shirt, often times with a floral decoration. The women also wear a skirt, leggings and a matching cape or scarf. These items often include intricately designed beadwork patterns, that are contemporary or “old style”. The raised beadwork style seems to be popular today as well.
The male Smoke Dancers wear a ribbon shirt, leggings, and breech cloth adorned with similar patterns and style beadwork as the women. The distinctive headdress represents the person’s nation. One eagle feather straight up, represents the Seneca people. As dancers of other nations dance the smoke dance, many use headdresses without feathers signifying nationhood.
Today, many powwows have included Smoke Dance as a category. The fast up-beat tempo of the drum and songs; along with the complex foot work and arm movements makes it for quite an exquisite show. Smoke Dance also has a diverse selection of songs to sing and dance to. Some songs specifically for the men to dance are called “war dance” songs, and are sung at a much slower beat, where the men rather do a slight hop, looking about and use a lot of movement with their arms. The faster paced songs involve some fancy foot work and arm movements. Like every other contest dance, you display your regalia and individuality as a dancer; as well as your ability to keep in beat with the drum, and stopping on time.
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