spirit dance
Quick Summary
The Ghost Dance was a spiritual movement that emerged among Native American cultures in the western United States. Its primary purpose was to revitalize traditional ways of life, promising the return of the dead, the expulsion of white settlers, and the restoration of Native American lands, buffalo herds, and traditional customs.1
The Ghost Dance involved rituals such as a hypnotic circle dance, and its ceremonies were often addressed to the spirits of the dead. This movement was part of a broader context of Native American belief systems, which often included animism and a strong emphasis on visions and spirit beings. The Ghost Dance spread to the Great Plains in the 19th century, reflecting a desire for cultural renewal and spiritual connection.23
- Ghost Dance: Top Questions
- Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains - Belief systems
- Native American dance - Patterns of participation
- Native American dance - The Great Plains
- Native American dance - Eskimo (Inuit)
- African dance - The religious context
- Native American dance - The Great Basin, the Plateau, and California
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
