If it is one thing that I love and that is the sound of the traditional Native American Jingle dress, or Prayer dress as some tribes call them. I remember the first time I went to a dance ceremony and the girls came out one by one with the little bells attached to their dresses, and I wanted to jump out of my seat and go dance with them. The sound is like hearing little children laughing or a beautiful eagle flying in the sky and singing to me. The Jingle dress is one of the most beautiful sounds in the whole wide world. So let me begin by sharing a legendary story with you, about the Native American Jingle dress.

The Legend

Legend has it that the dress was seen in a vision, and that the dress would heal the people of a suffering nation. This legend was handed down by the tribes in the north, along the Canadian border.

Another version of the legend tells us the story of the granddaughter of a Medicine man who had become very sick. As the Medicine man was sleeping his spirit guides came to him and he was told to make a Jingle dress for her and to have her dance.

The Medicine man was told that by her dancing in this Jingle dress, that she would be healed. So, the Medicine man got to work on the dress and when he was finished, he gave the Jingle dress to his granddaughter. Then everyone from the tribe was gathered around for the dance. The granddaughter was so sick she had to be carried to the dance circle, but within a very short time she was soon dancing in the circle. According to the legend, the granddaughter was healed and that is how we have the Jingle dress dance today.

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Jingle Dress

The material used on a Jingle dress is rolled up snuff can lids that are hung by ribbons. The ribbon is sewed onto the dress, and the jingles are placed close-by so they can hit each other, in the Ojibwe language this is called ziibaaska’iganan. This hitting causes the beautiful sound I spoke of earlier. Some have said, if you close your eyes you will hear the sound of rain.

During a traditional dance ceremony there are many ladies of all ages that gather together to dance in their Jingle dress. Together, they create a grand symphony made of rattles and tinkling. The dance requires dancers to never cross the feet, never dance backward, and never complete a circle. The footwork is kept light, airy, and close to the ground. The dancer also carries a feather fan during the performance.

Tradition

The importance of tradition can be found in many cultures, and for Native Americans tradition is deeply ingrained within the culture. The Jingle dress has evolved into a form of self expression for many women, since at one point in American history the oppression of tradition and culture was outlawed. It was through the strength of the Native American women during this specific time in history, that kept such dances alive through storytelling and practice.

There are many photos depicting women continuing the tradition of the Jingle dress dance by teaching and disregarding the laws of their day. I personally thank these strong women for continuing to honor tradition and fighting for the rights of future generations. Oral history and teaching would be completely gone if it were not for them. A’oo. Over time, the Jingle dress dance became more popular to other tribes throughout North America, and a connection to prayer and healing. This only adds to the pleasure of seeing and hearing the beauty of the traditional Jingle dress dance.

So, if you ever have a chance to go see a traditional Native American ceremony, it is more than likely you might be lucky enough to see a Jingle dress and hear the sound of pure delight. Peace.

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All photos are the property of @eaglespirit.

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