Ladies' Southern Cloth

An expression of the Southern Plains is brought to this regal dance, which is considered the perfect counterpart to the men’s Southern Straight Dance. This is a dance of elegance rather than motion. The slow graceful steps and gentle dip in exact time to the drum contribute to the stateliness of the dance. The gentle motion of the shawl folded over the arm is in harmony with the motion of the body to the drumbeat.

The dancers dress originates from the reservation period Kiowa and Comanche camp dresses. The “T” shaped dresses were originally made of inexpensive material, however contemporary styles use, brightly colored taffetas, silks, satins and synthetic blends. The Southern Cloth style can easily be identified by an over skirt that wraps around the dress, a double breast plate that hangs on both the front and rear of the dancer, and characteristically Southern “boots” made by sewing the moccasins and buckskin leggings together. Moderately beaded accoutrements and accessories such as hair barrettes, medallions, purses and a fan complete the Ladies Southern Cloth ensemble.

Ladies Buckskin Dance

The Ladies Buckskin Dance holds to the “old ways” more than any other style of dance and dress. Many dress styles are based on the old ceremonial or visiting dresses of pre-reservation times and are considered formal attire. Buckskin dresses are made of deer or elk skins; there are no substitutes in dresses made correctly. True buckskin dresses reflect an identifiable tribal style in the way the buckskins are cut, sewn together and decorated. A properly made dress does honor to the animals harvested to make the dress and to the tribal group reflected in the style. The dress style varies in each part of the country and with each tribal group. In general Southern style buckskin dresses are of two pieces, consisting of a yoke and a skirt. Northern dresses have the yoke and skirt integrated into a single garment. Buckskin dresses are highly decorated with beadwork, shells, cones, Conchos, elk teeth, paint and long buckskin fringe. Dancing in a buckskin dress is a regally elegant march to the beat of the drum in the South, or a bob and sway in the North.

Ladies' Fancy Shawl

The Fancy Shawl is the most modern of the ladies' dances, and gives the young ladies the opportunity to demonstrate their individual agility and grace. Dance steps are individually choreographed, but always are in harmony with the beat of the drum. Many of the moves are very intricate. The spectator who is close enough to watch the movement of the feet will be rewarded with the added dimension, but the overall effect can be seen from any distance. Though the fancy shawl involves more motion and agility than most women's dances, the grace of the woman is always expressed. The regalia is brilliantly colored, and often adorned with beautifully designed beadwork. Beadwork is also often a compliment to the shawl, which is an integral part of the dance.

Jingle Dress Dance

Among the tribes of Canada, the Jingle Dress is relatively new to the southern plains. In the last few years, ladies of other tribes have begun to learn the dance and perform in competition. This is an example of a very old dance, which held a very spiritual meaning. A young lady of a northern tribe had a dream in which she was shown this type of dress. She was told that if she danced in such a dress, it would heal illness. She obeyed her dream's command, made a dress, and danced the illness away. It is a dance of pride and dignity, which allows a significant amount of individual expression. There is no set choreographic pattern, but it is quite active and very exciting to watch. The Jingle Dress is not only very colorful, but furnishes much of the musical accompaniment for the dance. Long tubular cones form a fringe-like decoration that jingles as the dancer moves. The cones are made by rolling up the tops of tobacco tins, which are then sewn onto these unique dresses. Close your eyes during this dance and it will sound like rain striking a tin roof. Few dances can match the sheer brilliance of costume and sound of the Jingle Dress Dance.