Tail Dancers

[hobbs49]

Granted, this is probably a very uninformed question and it may be considered inappropriate to ask, but what the heck, I'll give it a shot.

A few of us were sitting around talking about a song and someone asked about the tail and who dances the tail. It was suggested that Possibly the early tail dancers were warriors were the "rear guard," ensuring that a party was not easily attacked from behind. But that was just thrown out as a possibility.

So any information that can be shared with respect to tail dancers (both historical and/or contemporary) would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Historian]

Good question.

I have been taught by Ponca elders that historically, when the men of the Omaha/Ponca Hethuska would go out as a group to fight their enemies, the 4 appointed “Tail” men, were those who had to have attained the first 6 war honors involved in striking the enemy, thus entitling them to carry the society “coup sticks,” which displayed the society’s war honors.

These crooked staffs would be used to touch enemies in close combat, proving the Tail men’s bravery. The crooked staffs would also be used to hoist a wounded companion off the battlefield and onto a horse without having to dismount.

During a battle with their enemies, the Tail men of the Omaha/Ponca Hethuska were said to have been “the bravest of fighters,” and would stay toward the back of a war party and defend the “tail” of the group. On rare occasions, if the enemy strength became too overwhelming, these men volunteered to stay behind and fight the enemy, frequently sacrificing themselves, while the rest of the war party escaped to safety.

In modern times there have usually been at least 2 Tail Dancers appointed by the Ponca Hethuska Headman who are considered at the peak of their skill and strength. It is said that they are “all together.” The Tail Dancers serve as role models for the younger members of the society and act as representatives for the general membership, through which the opinions and desires of the members are made known to the Headman and Committeemen. The crooked coup-stick, which sometimes reached a length of 8 feet, is now represented by a shortened, straight version about 2 to 3 feet long called a “tail stick.”

Traditionally, this tail stick is carried only by the appointed Tail Dancers, by men who previously served as Tail Dancers, or by visiting Tail Dancers from other War Dance organizations. During the Hethuska dance ceremony the Tail Dancers are obligated to dance on the repeated last verse or “tail” of all appropriate songs. This obligation represents the historical practice of the Tail men going back to the scene of a recent battle, at great risk to themselves, to recover any wounded or dead companions. It is further said that the practice of more traditional Tail Dancers, is to kick up one foot at the last beat of the drum at the end of a song’s tail. This would symbolize the way the Tail men warriors would kick the bodies of their fallen enemies on the battlefield to make sure they were dead and no longer a threat, while recovering their dead and/or wounded from the battlefield area.

I hope this helps.

[hobbs49]

Thanks Historian. I appreciate the information and the time you spent to help me.

[CHEROSAGE]

Hey there HOBBS. As Historian mentioned the modern Tail Dancer(s) is selected by the Headsmen to represent their particular District. This is especially true in the Osage Inlonshka. Not sure of the other Helushkas,etc..

I want to commend Historian for the info he has graciously shared with us. He is a very knowledgable scholar. Thanks Historian.

[hobbs49]

Thanks Cherosage & Historian,

I've been considering what you've said and would like to pose a couple of other "follow-on questions" if I may.

It seems that at powwows today, you see many, many straight dancers carrying the "tail sticks." So it seems that that badge of office has been degredated. (Maybe this is more of a hobbs thing or an east coast thing, WhoMe's already convinced me to head to OK next July :-) But if the tail stick has lost it's original purpose, how might one actually recognize a person who is designated as a tail dancer? Is there another or newer badge of office that would indicate outwardly that they have been designated/honored as a tail dancer?

Also, are the tail dancers selected for each Inlonshka/Helushka or is it more of a lifetime office or maybe for a year or two? Maybe this varies by War Dance Society?

I've also always heard that the tail stick is something that *must* be given to you, that you or your family can't make it for yourself. Along with that, I've heard that it must be given to you by another straight dancer who already has been given his tail stick. Again maybe this is a hobbs thing and so I'm trying to understand what is right.

Again, any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Historian]

It seems that at powwows today, you see many, many straight dancers carrying the "tail sticks." But if the tail stick has lost it's original purpose, how might one actually recognize a person who is designated as a tail dancer? Is there another or newer badge of office that would indicate outwardly that they have been designated/honored as a tail dancer?

Since the 1960s, the Tail Stick has emerged as a popular hand item for Straight Dancers at Pow-Wows, even if they are not affiliated with a War Dance or Veterans Organization, and I am not aware of any other "badge of office" for a Tail Dancer serving in that capacity in an organization.

Also, are the tail dancers selected for each Inlonshka/Helushka or is it more of a lifetime office or maybe for a year or two? Maybe this varies by War Dance Society?

It has been my experience that Tail Dancers in many organizations, Ponca Hethuska, Osage Inlonschka, Comanche War Dance Organization, etc. are appointed by the Headman for a time period that works best for the organization. It could be for one dance, or for a few years. It depends on the circumstances within the organization. To my knowledge, there are no set rules, but rather a flexible set of standards.

I've also always heard that the tail stick is something that *must* be given to you, that you or your family can't make it for yourself. Along with that, I've heard that it must be given to you by another straight dancer who already has been given his tail stick.

Within each organization, there are traditions that have been followed by clans or families. These traditions you speak of would be an example of that. As cultural traditions evolve and change, the best advice I have to offer is to ask what the current traditions are within a particular organization. If someone in a member of a War Dance organization or society, and is appointed as a Tail Dancer, then they should be able to talk to other former Tail Dancers, members of the organization's Committee, or the Headman, to determine what is the proper tradition within that organization concerning the Tail Stick.