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.