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war dance

Hist.

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a dance performed before a raid or battle; also, a dance simulating a battle.

Quotations

1751

Accordingly, the poor Esqowenow declares the war-dance in the year 1748, and away they go with great alacrity, and succeeded, and brought seven alive and thirteen scalps in great tryumph.

1869

A feature in the amusements of the day was the "war dance" of the Indians in full costume.

1935

War Dance: a number of men decked themselves in fighting array and with their bows and arrows, clubs and knives staged a mimic battle.

1966

"White men call this our War Dance. It is not a War Dance. It is not intended to rouse hate against anybody. It is for the warriors of our past. It is a farewell to warriors before battle, and a welcome for warriors after battle."