DCHP-3

winter dance

Pacific Coast, Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a ceremonial performance given by one of the Dancing Societies of the Kwakiutl and other coastal tribes during the winter months. Hence, winter dancing.

Quotations

1955
Most potlatches took place in the autumn, after the people had stored away their food and before the secret society began its winter dances.
1964
When the missionaries swept out heathenism, they included the social forms that supported it--potlatches, winter dances, and the systems of class and rank.
1964
But potlatching and winter dancing did not die easily... .