How to Perform the Native American Rain Dance
It is said that back in the days, Native Americans would perform a rain dance so that there is some rain in order to grow crops. At times there were several months were there was a drought and then the men and women would rain dance together just to produce a beautiful harvest after the rainfall. This ritual is now coming to an end but people still want to learn the rain dance to remember those Native Americans who believed that there will pour once they perform the rain dance. These days only a few American Indian tribes perform this rain dance. Back in 1988, a person travelled from Rosebud Sioux to Northern Ohio only to become a part of this act as America was hit by a serious drought. The following steps can help you learn this historic dance.
Instructions
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1
Gather a few men and women and form two parallel lines approximately four feet apart from one another.
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2
Men should stand in one line while women should stand in the other line.
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3
In order to start the dance, first step forward with your left foot.
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4
While you are moving forward, make sure you raise your right foot and then bring it down to the floor. While women do it slowly and smoothly, men can stamp their feet a bit more vigorously.
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5
Keep moving forward in the same direction. Take the first step with your left foot and the right foot should follow with a stomp to the floor.
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6
While other Native American dances were performed in circles, rain dancers would always perform the dance while forming a square. Moreover, they would perform this dance outside, in the open air. However, you can always perform this dance inside a room.
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7
While the song is on, and you are moving forward, you can keep your face turned on the right side. However, when you are entering the next measure, make sure that your face is turned to the left.
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8
Once you continue in the aforementioned pattern, you will notice that a zigzag pattern is formed.
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9
Make sure that between the measures you can always stop and twirl, imitating the wind. It is said that Native Americans would perform this act to show the promise of the wind that will bring rain.
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10
It is stated that women would mostly sing the song while performing this ritual. On the other end, men would only clap or yelp along with the beat.
