DCHP-3

scalp dance

Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

See 1929 quotes.

Quotations

1791
The dances among the Indians ... [include] the scalp dance.
<i>a</i>1929
That evening the united bands kindled an enormous campfire and with the scalps of the dead flaunting from spear heads danced the scalp dance, re-enacting in pantomime all the episodes of the massacre to the monotonous chant-chant of a recitative relating to the foray.
1929
In this [Indian] order of things the Scalp Dance was a prime factor. The hair of a dead enemy was the first thing taken, indeed it was not necessary that the enemy be dead, so long as he was unable to resist the mutilation.