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Sun Dance
Sun
Dance, religious ceremony performed by Native Americans
of the Plains tribes of North
America in veneration of the sun.
Held
in summer, the eight-day long ceremonial involves sacred
objects and sometimes includes voluntary self-laceration
or torture.
In
1881 the United States government prohibited the Sun
Dance, labeling it "demoralizing and barbarous."
The
ceremony continued to be practiced in secret, however,
and in 1941 Shoshone Sun
Dance leader John Truhujo reintroduced the dance to
the Crow peoples. Although the
ceremony traditionally belongs to the spiritual heritage
of the Plains peoples, it has become an inspiration
for traditionalist movements among non-Plains Native
Americans as well.
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see also: Native
American Religions, Beliefs, Behaviors & Attitudes
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"Sun
Dance," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com
© 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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