What were the changes in Indian dance during the 20century?

Answer 1

19th century:As a passive resistance and in mourning the ghost dance was developed around the time of the Trail of Tears.

20th century: Probably the most notable development in native American dance was the "fancy dance". The "mens fancy dance" was developed by the lakota peoples in the 1940's and based in part on previous war dances. The The fancy dance is a flashy and athletic dance requiring stamina, endurance, dexterity, and a high pain threshold. The mens fancy dancer wears back bustles, one across the shoulders and one on the waist.

Angora anklets are worn to bring sheer footedness in the fast paced dance, above then bells. A breechcloth with fringe, designs and beadwork is worn with a matching apron/vest. When weather permits long sleeve decorative shirts are oten worn under the vest. Smaller arm bustles are worn high on the arm and gauntlets, sometimes beaded around the wrists. beaded headbands are typical and a headpiece called a roach is worn. The roach resembles a mohawk and is made of deer hair and porcupine hair.

The mens fancy was originally called the crazy dance and is a major display of showmanship. Regalia is constantly being taken to the next level in a desire to stand out in some way amongst a crowd at a powwow. Fancy dance footwork originally resembeled the Charleston but also incorporates freeform elements including spins, splits, cartwheels, etc. The better the dancer, the more technical moves they are able to execute while staying with the beat of the drum. I cannot stress enough how demanding the fancy dance is on the body. I once did a strattle split so hard on a stage that I fractured my knee.

Powwow style fancy dance songs are typically very fast and will mix the rythm of a 2 step beat that is soft then hard, falsetto singing, and strings of singular hard beats to which special moves are executed. Variations may include fast ruffle beats which encourage flourishes of energy packed exploits.

There is also a womens fancy shawl dance in which women with highly decorated shawls dance with footword which can rival that of mens fancy dance but womens fancy shawl dancers also work to keep their shawls taught and flowing evenly and beautifully.