Ghost Dance

Ghost Dance
Public domain · source
Name	Ghost Dance
Founder	Wovoka
Origin	Nevada

Ghost Dance is a spiritual movement that originated in the late 19th century among the Native American tribes of the Great Plains, particularly the Paiute, Sioux, and Cheyenne. The movement was founded by Wovoka, a Paiute spiritual leader who claimed to have received visions from God and Jesus Christ, as well as Coyote and other Native American spirits, during a total solar eclipse in 1889, similar to the one witnessed by Christopher Columbus during his voyage to the New World. The Ghost Dance movement spread rapidly across the American West, influencing tribes such as the Arapaho, Shoshone, and Comanche, and was also linked to the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre. The movement's teachings were also influenced by the Mormon faith, which had a significant presence in the region, particularly in Utah and Arizona.

Introduction

The Ghost Dance movement was characterized by its emphasis on spiritual renewal, cultural preservation, and resistance to the forced assimilation policies of the United States government, which were enforced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the US Army, led by figures such as George Armstrong Custer and Nelson A. Miles. The movement's teachings were influenced by the Paiute and Sioux traditions, as well as Christianity, which had been introduced to the region by missionaries such as John Eliot and Isaac Jogues. The Ghost Dance movement also drew inspiration from the Mormon faith, which had a significant presence in the region, particularly in Utah and Arizona, and was influenced by figures such as Brigham Young and Joseph Smith. The movement's spread was facilitated by the transcontinental railroad, which connected the East Coast and West Coast of the United States, and was also influenced by the California Gold Rush and the Klondike Gold Rush.

History

The Ghost Dance movement has its roots in the Paiute tradition, which emphasized the importance of spiritual renewal and cultural preservation, similar to the Iroquois Confederacy and the Creek Nation. The movement gained momentum in the late 19th century, particularly after the Wounded Knee Massacre, which was led by the US Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment, commanded by George Armstrong Custer and Nelson A. Miles. The movement's spread was also influenced by the Dawes Act, which aimed to assimilate Native American tribes into white culture, and was enforced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, led by figures such as Henry L. Dawes and Thomas J. Morgan. The Ghost Dance movement was also linked to the Battle of Little Bighorn, which was fought between the US Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment and the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, and was influenced by figures such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

Beliefs_and_Practices

The Ghost Dance movement emphasized the importance of spiritual renewal, cultural preservation, and resistance to forced assimilation, similar to the Rastafari movement and the Civil Rights Movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The movement's teachings were influenced by the Paiute and Sioux traditions, as well as Christianity, which had been introduced to the region by missionaries such as John Eliot and Isaac Jogues. The movement's practices included the performance of the Ghost Dance, which was a ritual dance that aimed to bring the spirits of the dead back to life, similar to the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and the Festival of the Dead in Japan. The movement also emphasized the importance of traditional practices, such as the Sun Dance and the Vision Quest, which were influenced by figures such as Black Elk and Lame Deer.

Impact_and_Suppression

The Ghost Dance movement had a significant impact on the Native American tribes of the Great Plains, particularly the Paiute, Sioux, and Cheyenne, and was also linked to the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre. The movement's teachings were seen as a threat to the authority of the United States government, which responded with force to suppress the movement, led by figures such as George Armstrong Custer and Nelson A. Miles. The movement was also influenced by the Dawes Act, which aimed to assimilate Native American tribes into white culture, and was enforced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, led by figures such as Henry L. Dawes and Thomas J. Morgan. The Ghost Dance movement was eventually suppressed, but its legacy continues to influence Native American spirituality and culture, particularly in the Navajo Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and the Iroquois Confederacy.

Legacy

The Ghost Dance movement has had a lasting impact on Native American spirituality and culture, particularly in the Navajo Nation, the Cherokee Nation, and the Iroquois Confederacy. The movement's teachings continue to influence contemporary Native American spiritual practices, such as the Sun Dance and the Vision Quest, which are practiced by tribes such as the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. The movement's legacy is also reflected in the work of Native American artists, writers, and activists, such as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Wilma Mankiller, who have worked to preserve and promote Native American culture and spirituality, particularly in the American Indian Movement and the National Congress of American Indians. The Ghost Dance movement's influence can also be seen in the Civil Rights Movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and the American Indian Movement, led by figures such as Dennis Banks and Russell Means. Category:Native American spirituality