The Ghost Dance

Definition

The Ghost Dance is a spiritual movement that emerged in the late 19th century among Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota Sioux, as a response to the loss of their lands and cultural identity. This movement combined traditional Native American beliefs with elements of Christianity, promoting a vision of a future where Native Americans would be reunited with their ancestors and experience a return to a pre-colonial paradise. The Ghost Dance played a significant role in shaping the identity of new religious movements that sought to address social and spiritual crises.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Ghost Dance originated in 1889 when Wovoka proclaimed that a new era was coming for Native Americans, where they would be reunited with deceased ancestors and the buffalo would return.
2. The movement gained significant traction among tribes facing immense pressures from settlers and U.S. government policies, representing hope amidst despair.
3. Participants in the Ghost Dance believed that performing the dance would bring about a transformation of the world and restore traditional ways of life.
4. The U.S. government viewed the Ghost Dance with suspicion, associating it with unrest, leading to heightened tensions and eventually the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.
5. The legacy of the Ghost Dance continues to influence contemporary Native American spiritual practices and movements advocating for indigenous rights.

Review Questions

• How did the Ghost Dance movement reflect the social and spiritual challenges faced by Native American tribes in the late 19th century?
  • The Ghost Dance movement emerged as a response to the profound social and spiritual challenges faced by Native American tribes, particularly due to loss of land, cultural suppression, and violent conflicts with settlers. It provided a framework for hope and healing through its teachings about ancestral reunification and restoration of traditional ways of life. By combining elements of Christianity with indigenous beliefs, it helped empower communities during a time of despair and marginalization.
• Discuss how Wovoka's vision contributed to the spread of the Ghost Dance among various Native American tribes.
  • Wovoka's vision was pivotal in inspiring the Ghost Dance across various Native American tribes, particularly after he preached about an imminent renewal for indigenous peoples. His message emphasized collective unity and cultural revival, resonating deeply with tribes suffering from colonization. The adaptability of his teachings allowed different tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, to incorporate their own traditions into this movement, thus broadening its appeal and impact.
• Evaluate the consequences of the Ghost Dance movement on U.S.-Native American relations during this period.
  • The Ghost Dance movement had significant consequences for U.S.-Native American relations, as it intensified fears among government officials that Native Americans were organizing for resistance. This culminated in tragic events such as the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, where federal troops killed hundreds of Lakota Sioux participants. The U.S. government's heavy-handed response not only suppressed the movement but also highlighted broader patterns of violence and discrimination against Native Americans, shaping subsequent policies and attitudes toward indigenous communities.

Related terms

Wovoka: A Northern Paiute prophet who claimed to have received a vision that inspired the Ghost Dance movement, encouraging Native Americans to perform the dance to bring about spiritual renewal and restoration.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: A popular traveling show in the late 19th century that romanticized the American West, highlighting the conflicts between Native Americans and settlers and reflecting broader societal views on indigenous cultures.

Lakota Sioux: A Native American tribe primarily located in the Great Plains region, which played a central role in the Ghost Dance movement as a response to their suffering from colonization and cultural disruption.