SOME SOCIAL DANCES

Standing Quiver or Stomp Dance

Watahtshero:ton

The standing quiver or stomp dance is usually the first of any social dance in most communities throughout the Six Nations. It is a dance that gets everybody in a good mood for dancing and singing. The musical instruments used are your feet, stomping and shuffling, helping to maintain the beat of the song. The dancers follow the leader or singer in single file in a counterclockwise direction. The singer starts by singing the first part of the song and then his helper sings the rest. At one point in the song the lead singer will sing a high note and then all the followers will dance sideways for a few seconds and then face frontwards again. These songs are said to be very old.

Round Dance

Tsiohthwatase:tha

The round dance is a social dance that is always included in our social dances.

It is a dance or song originating from the Western Nations of the Plains, but has been amongst our Iroquois Nations for all of a hundred years and perhaps two hundred years or more. The social round dance has of course been Iroquoinized so much that it would not be recognized as anything but Iroquoian. The round dance is a slow dance. If it is danced in one circle, this will go counter clockwise, representing the positive things of life, all that Teharonhiawa:kon made in the world. It represents the sun, the birth of children and all other happy events. All the people are holding hands in the circle alternating man/woman/man/woman. When the drum beat changes the dancers change direction without losing step. When the circle goes clockwise it represents the twin brother called Sawiskera. The dance will then represent the negative of life such as death, tears, and the nighttime. The round dance sometimes is referred to as the dance of life because it acknowledges both the positives and negatives of life. If a second circle is required, the inner circle will go counter clockwise and the outer circle clockwise. The steps are simple because the lead footsteps in, the other foot follows. This is done while the dancers are holding hands.

Alligator Dance

Tekanionton ‘neha

The alligator dance is probably from the Creek Nation in the South. They say this dance was brought here when the Confederacy sent out messengers of peace. The messengers were sent to invite others to come and join the Iroquois to sit under the Great Tree of Peace. This dance is a partner dance of men and women. The woman will hold the man’s arm and the dance steps are jog-like. The lead singer and assistant will give the signal to the dance by a change in the song. Then the man will swing the woman in a complete circle.

When the lead dancer sings a chant then the dancers behind him will answer in a chanting tone. Next, the lead dancer will signal the singers to take over the song again and swing once again. This goes on at least five times throughout the song.

The musical instruments used for this dance are the water drum and the horn rattles.

Unity Stomp Dance

Wat’ahtshero:ton Karen:nase

The unity stomp dance is another fun dance. In Ahkwesahsne, this dance is usually done before ending the social. It is basically similar to the standing quiver or stomp dance except that it zigzags all over the Longhouse like a snake moving around in the grass. The songs to this dance come from different tribes or nations like the Creeks, Kickapoos, Utes, Kiowas, Pawnees, and so on. This is why it is called the Unity Stomp Dance. The zigzagging and moving in all directions symbolize our search for people to come and join the circle of unity. The musical instruments used are horn rattles.

The Old Moccasin Dance

Ahtahk waka:ion

The old moccasin dance is said to be very old. This dance is usually the third one in a social gathering. It is a partner dance and takes 4 people to be complete, but we will describe it with one couple. First a man is in the front and a woman in back. Halfway through the song the lead singer will change the beat of the drum. Each partner will switch sides with his or her partner. At this point the woman is in the front instead of the man. The songs of this dance are the first to be learned by the young people. The musical instruments used are the water-drum and the horn rattles. This is a male/female dance.

Partner Fish Dance

Kentsionhneha

In most Iroquois communities, the elders enjoy the Partner Fish Dance. The dance is not much different from the old moccasin dance. The one exception is that one person dances backwards or the couples face each other. This is a fast dance and is popular among the young people. This is a male and female dance. The musical instruments are the water-drum and the horn rattles.

(The Old Time Fish Dance is done exactly the same way as the partner Fish Dance, except the words to the songs are different).