The Ghost Dance Movement | Native American Culture | Wounded Knee Massacre

Summary

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual revival among Native Americans in the late 19th century, starting with visions from a Paiute elder named Wodziwob. These visions foretold a renewed Earth for the Native people. The movement gained momentum in 1889 when Wovoka, also known as Jack Wilson, had a vision of peace and renewal. Central to the movement was a communal circle dance. However, the U.S. government grew alarmed, leading to the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. Despite setbacks, the Ghost Dance remains a symbol of cultural preservation for Native Americans.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement among Native Americans in the late 19th century, aiming for a renewal of the earth and a better life for the natives.
• 👤 It originated with the Paiute people in 1869, following visions from an elder medicine man named Wovoka.
• 🌐 Wovoka's visions evolved over time, initially predicting a cataclysm that would remove settlers and later envisioning a peaceful coexistence and the return of the buffalo.
• 💃 A central element of the Ghost Dance was a communal circle dance, which was believed to help bring about the prophesied transformation.
• 👼 Wovoka's teachings emphasized peace with settlers and incorporated elements of Christianity, reflecting his upbringing.
• 👕 Native Americans wore special attire, such as 'ghost shirts,' which were believed to protect them from bullets.
• 🔮 The Ghost Dance spread across many tribes, with leaders and medicine men teaching the dance and vision to others.
• 🚨 The Bureau of Indian Affairs became alarmed by the movement, fearing it might lead to violence, especially after the Ghost Dance was adopted by the Lakota Sioux.
• 🔪 The movement culminated in the tragic Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890, where many Native Americans were killed by U.S. forces.
• 🕊 After the massacre and the failure of the prophecies, most followers abandoned the Ghost Dance, but it continues to symbolize the struggle to preserve Native American heritage.
• 🌟 Today, the Ghost Dance Movement is still observed by some, and it has influenced other spiritual movements among Native Americans.

Q & A

What was the Ghost Dance Movement?

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual movement among Native Americans that arose in the western United States in the late 19th century. It centered on a communal circle dance and held the promise of a better future, including the removal of settlers and the return of buffalo and ancestral spirits.

Who started the Ghost Dance Movement and when?

The movement began with the Paiute people in 1869, following a series of visions by an elder medicine man named Wovoka. These visions foretold the renewal of the earth and a hopeful future for the Native American people.

What did Wovoka’s visions predict initially, and how did they change over time?

Initially, Wovoka’s visions predicted a great cataclysm that would remove all settlers, leaving the land for Native Americans. Over time, his visions evolved to predict a peaceful, immortal life for those who practiced their spiritual traditions, without the destruction of settlers.

What role did Wovoka play in the Ghost Dance Movement in 1889?

In 1889, Wovoka, also known as Jack Wilson, had a vision during a solar eclipse. He claimed to have spoken to God in heaven and was told to teach the new Ghost Dance to his people. His prophecy promised peace, the return of buffalo, and the restoration of the land to Native Americans.

How did Wovoka's teachings incorporate elements of Christianity?

Wovoka’s teachings included mentions of Jesus or a Messiah, likely influenced by his exposure to Christianity while being raised by the American family of David Wilson. He emphasized peace and maintaining a non-violent relationship with settlers.

What was the significance of the Ghost Dance ritual?

The Ghost Dance ritual involved a communal circle dance, where participants swayed to the rhythm of songs, often entering trances or falling unconscious. The dance was believed to bring about the prophesied renewal of the earth and the return of ancestors.

How did the U.S. government respond to the Ghost Dance Movement?

The U.S. government, especially agents from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, grew alarmed by the growing number of Native Americans practicing the Ghost Dance. This led to heightened tensions, eventually culminating in the arrest and killing of Sitting Bull and the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.

What was the outcome of the Wounded Knee Massacre?

The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when 457 U.S. soldiers opened fire on the Lakota Sioux, killing more than 200 Native Americans and 25 policemen. This event marked the decline of the Ghost Dance Movement.

How did the Ghost Dance Movement evolve after the Wounded Knee Massacre?

After the massacre, the Ghost Dance Movement declined as it became apparent that ghost shirts could not protect from bullets, and the prophesied resurrection did not happen. However, the movement persisted in some tribes, and aspects of it influenced other Native American spiritual movements.

Does the Ghost Dance Movement still exist today?

Yes, elements of the Ghost Dance Movement and its symbolism still exist today as part of efforts to preserve Native American heritage. It also influenced other movements like the Peyote religion and Native American Church.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Origins and Beliefs of the Ghost Dance Movement

The Ghost Dance movement emerged among Native Americans in the west as a spiritual renewal in response to visions from a Paiute elder, Wwo, in 1869. These visions promised a cataclysm that would restore the land to Native people, with the return of buffalo and ancestors. The movement was characterized by a communal circle dance, which was believed to bring about this transformation. Wwo's teachings were later expanded upon by Woka, also known as Jack Wilson, who had a vision during a solar eclipse. He prophesied that the settlers would disappear, and the land would be restored to its original state, with the return of buffalo and the resurrection of ancestors. The dance was to be performed in a specific manner, with participants wearing 'ghost shirts' made of eagle feathers and other tribal attires for protection. The movement spread across tribes, with leaders visiting and teaching the vision and dance to others. Despite the peaceful intentions, the Bureau of Indian Affairs became concerned about the gathering of Native Americans and the potential for conflict.

05:02

🔥 The Ghost Dance and Its Impact on Native American Tribes

As the Ghost Dance movement spread, it was met with alarm by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, particularly among the Lakota Sioux, where it was perceived as having militaristic overtones. The dance was seen as a form of resistance, with the creation of 'ghost shirts' believed to protect against bullets. The movement's teachings were spread through visits and letters, and it reached its peak just before the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. The massacre, where U.S. soldiers fired upon the Lakota, killing over 200, marked a turning point for the movement. Woka, the prophet, was disturbed by the violence and the misinterpretation of his vision, leading him to withdraw from public speaking. Despite this, the Ghost Dance continued to spread to other tribes, each adapting the dance and songs to their own visions. The movement became a symbol of Native American heritage preservation and is still practiced today, with other religious movements like the Native American Church sharing aspects of the Ghost Dance's beliefs in a better future for Native people.

Keywords

💡Ghost Dance

The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement among Native Americans, particularly the Paiute people, that aimed to restore peace and harmony. Central to the movement was a communal circle dance that embodied hopes of a better future, where settlers would vanish, and the land would be restored to the natives. The dance's significance is highlighted by the belief that it could bring about a transformation of the Earth, making it a key ritual of the movement.

💡Paiute

The Paiute are a Native American tribe in the western United States. The Ghost Dance movement began among them in 1869, sparked by visions from a Paiute elder named Wovoka. The Paiute played a significant role in spreading the message of renewal, peace, and the reclamation of their lands, forming the roots of the Ghost Dance movement.

💡Wovoka

Wovoka, also known as Jack Wilson, was a Paiute prophet whose visions in 1889 gave rise to the Ghost Dance movement. He claimed to have seen a future where settlers would vanish, the buffalo would return, and Native Americans would live in peace. His teachings emphasized peaceful coexistence with settlers, and his visions shaped the spiritual practices of many Native American tribes during this period.

💡Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull was a prominent Lakota Sioux leader who played a crucial role during the spread of the Ghost Dance. He was seen as a spiritual leader among his people, and his association with the movement alarmed U.S. authorities. His death during an attempted arrest by tribal police in 1890 further escalated tensions and contributed to the events leading up to the Wounded Knee Massacre.

💡Wounded Knee Massacre

The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when U.S. soldiers killed over 200 Lakota Sioux who were participating in the Ghost Dance movement. The massacre marked the tragic culmination of tensions between the U.S. government and Native Americans practicing the Ghost Dance, as the government saw the movement as a threat. This event greatly diminished the movement's following.

💡Buffalo

Buffalo, or bison, were central to the Native American way of life, providing food, clothing, and tools. In Wovoka's vision, the return of buffalo symbolized the restoration of Native lands and life before European settlers arrived. The buffalo's return was a key component of the prophecies shared during the Ghost Dance movement, symbolizing a return to prosperity and harmony.

💡Ghost Shirts

Ghost shirts were ceremonial garments worn by some participants in the Ghost Dance movement. They were believed to have spiritual powers, offering protection from bullets and harm. The belief in their invincibility played a role in increasing Native American resistance, though this belief was shattered after the Wounded Knee Massacre, where they failed to provide protection.

💡Circle Dance

The circle dance was a key ritual in the Ghost Dance movement, symbolizing unity and spiritual connection. Participants danced in a communal circle, swaying and chanting, often falling into trances. This dance was seen as a way to bring about the fulfillment of the prophecies, such as the return of ancestors and the rejuvenation of the Earth.

💡Prophecy

Prophecy played a central role in the Ghost Dance movement. Both Wovoka and earlier prophets had visions predicting that Native Americans would reclaim their lands, their ancestors would return, and a peaceful existence would follow. These prophecies fueled hope among Native American communities, giving them a spiritual foundation for the movement.

💡Bureau of Indian Affairs

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was a U.S. government agency responsible for overseeing Native American relations. BIA agents became concerned when large gatherings of Native Americans began performing the Ghost Dance, fearing it was a sign of rebellion. Their actions, such as the arrest of Sitting Bull, contributed to escalating tensions that culminated in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Highlights

The Ghost Dance movement arose among Native Americans in the western United States during 1869.

The movement began with a series of visions from a Paiute elder medicine man named Wovoka.

Wovoka's initial visions predicted a cataclysm that would remove settlers from the land and restore it to the Native people.

Later, Wovoka's visions evolved to promise a peaceful and immortal life for those who followed the spiritual teachings.

The Ghost Dance was a central ceremony inspired by these visions, involving a communal circle dance.

Wovoka passed away in 1872, but in 1889, another Paiute named Wovoka (Jack Wilson) had a vision similar to Wovoka's earlier prophecies.

Wovoka's vision during the eclipse of the sun emphasized peace and the return of Native lands, ancestors, and buffalo.

Wovoka taught a new version of the Ghost Dance, instructing followers to dance for five days, with specific rituals and practices.

The Ghost Dance became popular among many tribes, spreading rapidly across different Native American groups.

Participants wore 'ghost shirts,' believed to protect them from bullets during the dance.

Bureau of Indian Affairs agents became alarmed by the growing number of participants and saw the movement as a threat.

The Ghost Dance led to a conflict when the Tribal Police tried to arrest Sitting Bull, resulting in his death.

The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, where over 200 Lakota Sioux were killed.

After the massacre, belief in the protective power of ghost shirts diminished, and many followers abandoned the Ghost Dance.

Despite the decline, elements of the Ghost Dance movement influenced other Native American religious practices and remain a symbol of cultural preservation today.

Transcripts

the Ghost Dance

Movement the Ghost Dance was a spiritual

movement that arose among Native

Americans living in the west of the

country it began among the POU people in

1869 with a series of Visions from an

elder medicine man named wwo these

Visions foresaw renewal of the earth and

help for the pyute people as promised by

their ancestors initially wwap said that

he saw some great cataclysm removing all

the set ERS leaving behind only natives

but in later Visions he saw an event

that removed all people from the

continent after which those who

Faithfully practiced the spirituality of

their ancestors would be miraculously

returned later still his vision no

longer predicted the destruction of

settlers but an immortal and peaceful

life for those who practiced his

spiritual teachings a ceremony that

featured a communal Circle dance was

Central to the Ghost Dance suggested by

those Visions wwap passed away in

1872 on January 1st 1889 a pyute named

Woka renamed Jack Wilson had a dream

during the eclipse of the sun he had a

vision of dying speaking with God in

heaven and being told to teach the new

dance to the people his prophecy was

similar to that of wwab he said that he

saw the settlers leaving or disappearing

the Buffalo returning and the land

restored to Native people all across the

continent in this Vision ancestors would

be brought back to life and all would

live in

peace Wok's father Tavo had befriended

and assisted wwab during his life after

tavo's death Woka had been raised by the

American family of David Wilson hearing

of the new Prophet among the pyute

representatives from many different

tribes traveled to speak with him

letters were sent by leaders of the

movement to other native peoples and

tribes to explain the vision and

ceremony that would help bring about the

transformation of the earth leaders of

the movement also visited various native

tribes to help teach them about the

vision and the dance Wok's teachings

emphasized maintaining a peaceful

relationship with the settlers growing

up he had some exposure to Christianity

so it is not surprising that there are

mentions of Jesus or a messiah in his

teachings he stated that by practicing

the Ghost Dance his vision of a peaceful

world would become

reality Woka described the dance to his

followers when you get home you must

begin a dance and continue for 5 days

dance for four successive nights and on

the last night continue dancing until

the morning of the fifth day when all

must bathe in the River and then return

to their homes you must all do this in

the same way I want you to dance every

six weeks make a feast at the dance and

have food that everybody may eat

gathering around the Native Americans

wore clothing of eagle feathers claws

horns called the ghost shirts these

tribal attires were thought to protect

the natives from bullets then the

medicine men and Prophets address addess

The Crowd by reminding them of the

message and guiding them through the

process of the ceremony including the

direction of the dance the chant and the

formation of the circle Ghost Dance

medicine men singers stood in the middle

sometimes around a sacred pole while

participants held hands and danced

around in a circle with a shuffling side

to side step swaying to the rhythm of

the songs they sang as the people danced

it was common that some dancers fell

into a trance distancing themselves from

the circle some would even fall down

unconscious the Ghost Dance could have

hundreds even thousands of participants

the Bureau of Indian Affairs agents grew

Disturbed when they became aware that so

many natives were coming together and

participating in a new and unknown event

in early October of 1890 kicking bear a

Lakota Sue visited Sitting Bull at

Standing Rock telling him of his visit

to Woka he told him of the great number

of other natives who were there as well

rring to Woka as the Messiah and he told

him of the prophecy that the next spring

when the grass was high the Earth would

be covered with new soil and bury all

the white men the new soil would be

covered with sweet grass running water

and trees and the great herds of Buffalo

and wild horses would return

all natives who danced The Ghost Dance

would be taken up into the air and

suspended there while the new Earth was

being laid down then they would be

returned to the Earth along with the

ghosts of their

ancestors as the dance spread to the

lotas sue the Bureau of Indian Affairs

agents became alarmed they claimed that

the Lota developed a militaristic

approach to the dance and began making

ghost shirts they thought would protect

them from bullets the natives also spoke

openly about why they were dancing the

agent in charge of the Lota eventually

sent the Tribal Police to arrest Sitting

Bull and to force him to stop the dance

in the struggle that followed

sittingbull was killed along with a

number of

policemen following the killing of

sittingbull the United States sent the

Army to disarm the lotu during the

events that followed now known know as

the Wounded Knee Massacre on December

29th 1890

457 US soldiers opened fire upon the

lotas Su killing more than 200 of them

25 policemen were also

killed the Ghost Dance reached its peak

just before the Wounded Knee massacre in

1890 when it became apparent that ghost

shirts did not protect from bullets and

the expected Resurrection did not happen

most former Believers quit the Ghost

Dance Woka disturbed by the death

threats and disappointed with the many

reinterpretations of his vision gave up

his public speaking however he remained

well respected among his followers and

continued his religious activities he

traveled and received visitors until the

end of his life in

1932 after the Wounded Knee Massacre

during 1891 and 1892 the Ghost Dance

spread to the PA Oto Missoura Iowa oage

and quapa each tribe composed its own

songs and adapted the dance in

accordance with participants own Visions

Reviving oldtime clothing weapons dances

and hand games on the Pine Ridge

reservation in South Dakota Commissioner

of Indian Affairs Thomas J Morgan

visited Oklahoma territory and seeing no

signs of violence as the result of Ghost

Dance made no attempt to prohibit it the

Ghost Dance continued uninterrupted in

Oklahoma until at least

1914 other movements and dances such as

the Su dance bear dance peyote religion

and Native American Church share aspects

of the Ghost Dance Movement such as

foretelling a better time and guiding

natives to a better life there are still

members of this religious movement today

the Ghost Dance Movement continues to be

a symbol for Native Americans to attempt

in preserving their Heritage thank you

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