Another dancer at the Blackfeet Indian Dance Presentation this past weekend at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center was "The Bell Dancer". Her sweet young daughter also performed some of the dance with her and then decided she was tired and moved over to sit on her father's knee and help with the drumming on the hand drum while the men sang the song for the dancer.
Her regalia was exquisite with so much detail I had to go up after the performance and ask for some close up shots of her moccasins, beadwork and bells.
The bells are made out of snuff cans. There are 365 bells which represent a dream the dancer has had. The dancer makes her regalia along with the help of family members. They can take years to finish. She also had a beautiful beaded purse she carried while she danced, but I did not think to ask for a close up picture of it.
More postings to follow with the men who performed dances at the festival as well.
Dancer regalia is NEVER called a "Costume" it is regalia..please correct this in your blogging.
ReplyDeleteKichi Miikwetch.
It is known as the "jingle" dance not "bell" dance.
ReplyDeleteThey are not called "bells". They are called "jingles".
ReplyDelete