The Ghost Dance: A Spiritual Movement Among Native Americans

Introduction

The Ghost Dance was a significant spiritual movement that emerged among Native American tribes in the late 19th century. It was a response to the profound suffering, displacement, and cultural erosion experienced by Indigenous peoples due to European colonization and U.S. government policies. The movement promised the restoration of Native lands, the return of deceased ancestors, and the revival of traditional ways of life. This essay explores the origins, beliefs, practices, and consequences of the Ghost Dance, as well as its lasting impact on Native American communities.

Origins of the Ghost Dance

The Ghost Dance originated in the Nevada region among the Paiute people. It was founded by a Paiute prophet named Wovoka (also known as Jack Wilson) in 1889. Wovoka claimed to have received a vision during a solar eclipse, in which he was instructed to teach a new dance to his people. This dance, he proclaimed, would bring about a renewal of the earth and the reunification of Native Americans with their ancestors.

Wovoka’s Teachings

Wovoka’s message was one of peace, unity, and hope. He preached that by performing the Ghost Dance, Native Americans could hasten the arrival of a new world where:

• The buffalo and other game would return in abundance.
• The land would be restored to its original state, free from white settlers.
• The dead would rise, and the living would be reunited with their ancestors.
• Natural disasters would cleanse the earth of non-Native influences.

Wovoka emphasized non-violence and instructed his followers to live harmoniously with white settlers while awaiting the promised transformation.

Spread of the Ghost Dance

The Ghost Dance quickly spread beyond the Paiute to other tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and others. This rapid dissemination was facilitated by:

1. Intertribal Communication: Native American messengers traveled between tribes, sharing Wovoka’s teachings.
2. Desperation and Hope: Many tribes were facing extreme hardship due to forced relocations, loss of buffalo, and confinement to reservations. The Ghost Dance offered a glimmer of hope.
3. Adaptation: Different tribes incorporated their own cultural elements into the dance, making it resonate with their specific traditions.

The Lakota Sioux and the Ghost Dance

Among the Lakota Sioux, the Ghost Dance took on a particularly urgent tone. The Lakota were suffering under the Dawes Act (1887), which sought to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments. The dance became a symbol of resistance and spiritual defiance.

Lakota leaders like Sitting Bull and Kicking Bear promoted the Ghost Dance, believing it could protect their people from further oppression. However, the U.S. government viewed the movement as a threat, fearing it would incite rebellion.

The Ghost Dance Ceremony

The Ghost Dance was a circular dance performed by participants holding hands and moving in a clockwise direction. Key elements of the ceremony included:

• Sacred Regalia: Dancers wore special shirts adorned with symbols believed to make them invulnerable to bullets (a later adaptation by some tribes).
• Chanting and Singing: Participants sang songs that recounted the visions of Wovoka and the promised renewal.
• Trance States: Some dancers entered trances, during which they claimed to communicate with ancestors or see visions of the future.

The dance was often performed over several days, with participants fasting and praying for the coming transformation.

Government Reaction and the Wounded Knee Massacre

The U.S. government’s fear of the Ghost Dance led to a tragic escalation. In December 1890, authorities attempted to suppress the movement, culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Events Leading to Wounded Knee

1. Arrest of Sitting Bull: Sitting Bull, a prominent Lakota leader, was arrested and killed during a confrontation with Indian police.
2. Flight of Big Foot: A group of Lakota, led by Chief Big Foot, fled to seek refuge but were intercepted by the U.S. Army.
3. The Massacre: On December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, the U.S. Army opened fire on unarmed Lakota men, women, and children. Approximately 150-300 Native Americans were killed, marking one of the darkest chapters in U.S.-Native relations.

Aftermath

The massacre effectively ended the Ghost Dance movement as an organized practice. However, its spiritual and cultural significance endured among Native American communities.

Legacy of the Ghost Dance

Despite its suppression, the Ghost Dance left a lasting legacy:

1. Symbol of Resistance: It became a symbol of Native American resilience and spiritual resistance against oppression.
2. Cultural Revival: The movement inspired later efforts to preserve and revitalize Indigenous traditions.
3. Influence on Modern Movements: Elements of the Ghost Dance can be seen in contemporary Native American religious and cultural practices.

Conclusion

The Ghost Dance was more than a religious ceremony; it was a profound expression of hope, unity, and resistance among Native Americans during a time of immense suffering. While the U.S. government’s violent response sought to eradicate the movement, its spiritual and cultural impact persists. Today, the Ghost Dance serves as a reminder of the enduring strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the face of adversity.