1908: The Indians are peculiarly averse to dancing in public, and especially of making a spectacle of their dances, as to them they are sacred rites and religious ceremonials.
Though a ban on Indian dancing remains, and some agents look the other way during "dancing season" - the Imperial Order of Red Men perform a "masquerade and scalp dance," and even a mock Indian wedding. 1907.
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Dick Ferris to Put on
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| 1907, Feb 23 The Inter Ocean |
Dick Ferris to Put on
Real Indian War Dance
1908, Jan 18th - Los Angeles Herald
Added to the performance of "The Redskin" at an Auditorium, "a series of Indian dances, given by the red men and women who have participated in production this week. Antonio Apache, who has given so much time and attention to mounting the play, has formulated consent of his red charges. The Indians are peculiarly averse to dancing in public, and especially of making a spectacle of their dances, as to them they are sacred rites and religious ceremonials. But the combination of Dick Ferris, who has greatly endeared himself during the week to the braves, and of Mr Apache, whom they trust and love, have prevailed, and Mr Ferris is now able to announce that after the final curtain of "The Redskin" the Sioux, of whom there are a number here; will give their famous war dance -- the same sung when they massacred the Custer party. Following this, the Navajos will give their religious or ceremonial dance. In this women and children will participate, they being barred from the war dance. " |
| 1908, Jan 18 Los Angeles Herald |
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INDIAN DANCE MAY BE LAST ONE
1908, Sep 13 Daily Arizona Silver Belt
All is ready for the big Indian parade today and the Indian moon dance tonight at the School Hill baseball park. The Indians are in a particularly happy frame of mind this year, because of the copious rains, and they will be out in force, but those who have never seen an Indian religious dance will do well not to miss this chance, as the red man is growing more and more averse to performing his religious rites in the presence of assemblies of white men, and it may be that the dance tonight will be the last ever seen in public.  |
| 1908, Sep 13 Daily Arizona Silver Belt |
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Passing of Indian Dances
1908, Dec 4 Harrisburg Daily Independent
Of all the Indian fiestas that of the eagle dance is perhaps the most important. During this ceremony a young eagle, the symbol of power upon earth, is killed, and its spirit laden with messages, joins that of the dead chief. This ceremony has recently been held for the last time in the history of the people. It has always been a fiesta of rare occurrence, being held only in commemoration of the death of the ruling chief of a person of great importance. The fiesta has not been celebrated for more than twenty years, and this final one marks the death of the last hereditary chieftains of the tribe and in consequence the passing not only of this title with its sacred trust of legend and history, but of this peculiar and mysterious tribal rite, whose deep significance is now doomed to oblivion. - Southern Workmen  |
| 1908, Dec 4 Harrisburg Daily Independent |
