What was the starting point for ghost dances?

Answer 1

The Ghost Dance movement began in the late 19th century among Native American tribes, particularly the Paiute in Nevada, following a vision by a prophet named Wovoka. He claimed that performing the dance would reunite the living with the spirits of the dead and bring about a time of peace and prosperity, free from the oppression of settlers. This spiritual revival aimed to restore Native American cultural identity and bring back the buffalo, representing a hope for a better future amid widespread suffering and loss due to colonization. The movement spread across various tribes, leading to significant events such as the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.