Dancing in an Intertribal

[Ladyhawk316]

Would it be permissable for a "white" female to dance in an intertribal if there is a call from the MC for everyone to come and dance?
Should that person be smudged by sage before entering? (I would feel very uncomfortable if I wasn't, but that is just me.)

[hobbs49]

Welcome to Powwows.com LadyHawk!

If the MC calls for everyone to dance, and if a woman (or man) is appropriately dressed (read that, not falling out of your top and/or bottoms), and if a person has watched others dance and can see how to do so respectfully, I would say go for it! I think it is appropriate for a woman to try to find a shawl to wear but I've seen that rule broken for things like blanket dances (where they're collecting money) and other such special occassions.

Smudging generally isn't required. I've been to dances where it seems that everyone is getting smudged and I've been to dances where nobody is smudged, at least in public. Those dances I've been to without the smudging greatly outweigh the dances with smudging.

My opinion is that if you're going to a powwow and think you might want to dance while there, wear some shoes, pants and a respectable shirt, enter the arena in good spirits, and try not to make a fool of yourself by imitating Kevin Costner. And if you're a woman, it shows good respect to wear a shawl.

That's just my opinion, I'm sure that others on this board will have something to add!

[Dyami]

When there is a Intertribal Dance all are welcome as long as they are being respectful. Make sure you listen to the MC and follow the directions and also make sure that pay attention to alot of the others and you will be able to follow along.

Which Hobbs49 has explained above.

[Josiah]

Ditto on what Hobbs49 said and may I add
The Intertribal dance is a NON-Formal way to get people up and go out and dance.
Usually the MC will say to people that they can come out and dance even if they are not in ndn clothes, You can even just walk if you feel confortable doing that

Please do not try the "Dunbar" (Kevin Costner reference)!!!

As for smudging
I seen that a few times in the east at powwows for people entering the arena
That is not a common practice here in the west, in public anyways...


Its a good a good thing...

[SheTurtle]

Ditto on what everyone else has said. I've been to powwows where anyone was welcome to dance in an intertribal, and I've been to other powwows where intertribals are limited only to those in regalia, but audience members can dance in social dances such as the round dance. It depends on the powwow.

Be respectful, get a shawl if you can, and don't go into the arena half-naked. Listen to the MC and don't start taking pictures of everybody in the arena while they are dancing, much less stop someone and ask them to pose for a picture during the intertribal.

[ac_miss]

Listen to the MC and don't start taking pictures of everybody in the arena while they are dancing, much less stop someone and ask them to pose for a picture during the intertribal.

double ditto on that! *LOL*

[Wojapi4Me]

Indian women don't dance during a certain time of month. I always have wondered why emcees don't announce that for spectators coming in. You know some of them are.

[tiffany redfeather]

Indian women don't dance during a certain time of month. I always have wondered why emcees don't announce that for spectators coming in. You know some of them are.

i was getting ready to announce that here... althought they said that i could dance outside the circle when i was invited an told to dance by an elder... an i told them that... an they told me to dance outside the circle... :P

i sat down an watched everyone else

[they_drag_him]

Should that person be smudged by sage before entering? (I would feel very uncomfortable if I wasn't, but that is just me.)

You should smudge in private. Don't make a spectacle out of smudging and if you forget to smudge, say a prayer.

[Ladyhawk316]

Thank You!

Beautiful! Thank you very much for all of your replies! It is most appreciated!

[tiffany redfeather]

i know where you are coming from. ive been looked at very strangely when ive smudged and someone seen me. i normally do it in my tent

[handgame_native]

Intertribals are nice....people just dancing to dance. Have fun.

[New2itall]

Wow! I have learned a lot from this! Can anyone think of anything else they would tell a woman going to her first Intertribal? I am scared to death I am going to do something horrifyingly wrong and disrespectful! Also, would someone explain more about the smudging?

[Kaina1128]

Deleted

[they_drag_him]

Also, would someone explain more about the smudging?

No! I think that what you read above is more than enough, why is it that the wasicu always asks for more?