
Men's Straight
Formal and original dance of most Oklahoma tribes, including the Ponca, Osage, Kiowa, Comanche, Kaw and many others.
Dignified style where men keep a steady, flowing pace and not interrupted with fancy moves or extra foot work. These gentlemanly dancers appear to be looking for something as they dance. This dance was conceived to tell the story of a hunting or war party on the trail of an enemy or an animal. The dancer tries to be convincing in their "search" and that often is a very real story the dancer is attempting to tell.
The most noticeable thing about the regalia of a Straight Dancer is the lack of any bustle. Often times they will be wearing an otter skin turban or a hair roach and an otter skin "trailer" which extends down the back.