Who did a war dance?

Answer 1

Each native American tribe had its own different dance traditions, including social dances, celebration dances, ceremonial dances, warrior society dances and so on.

War dances were generally only performed by the warriors about to set off to war, perhaps with women providing songs and drummers beating time. Among some of the eastern woodlands people it was common for warriors to strike at an upright post during the war dance - the post represented enemies.

Among the Plains tribes a war dance might continue for 4 days (4 being a sacred number), or there might be no dancing at all.

When in 1876 around 250 Shoshones and Crows joined General Crook's column against the Sioux they immediately painted their faces and broke into a war dance, then raced their ponies around until "man and beast were in a frenzy" - one soldier noted that this frenzy gradually disappeared as they neared the enemy.

Dancing was often left until after a successful war party returned with enemy scalps - scalp dances were often led by the women, who displayed the scalps taken by the warriors on long sticks.

Answer 2

Tribal peoples from around the world have "war dance" rituals.

Answer 3

Uncas, a chief, and some other warriors

Answer 4

mark holden