Photo Credit: Gathering of Nations Pow Wows photos by Derek Matthews. Photos from the Choctaw Pow Wow by Ginger Reddick.

Women’s Southern Cloth Dance Style

Women’s Cloth is a form of Native American women’s dress and dance and has both a Ladies Cloth is a form of Native American women’s dress and dance and has both a Southern and Northern style. The Southern style is danced by the Kiowas, Osage, Ponca, and others. The Northern style is danced by the Sioux, Crow, and others. The dance is a slow and graceful one much like the Women’s Buckskin style.

There are many variations among Native American Tribes with the outfit, including wearing a cloth dress or a wool dress and others. The basic outfit consists of several parts. The boots are a high top moccasin that is usually partially beaded. The dress is a long dress with open sleeves. The bottom of the dress is covered in a wrap that is usually a contrasting color or pattern. The wrap is sometimes fringed like a shawl. This style has a breast plate similar to the buckskin dress. This breastplate however has a front and back to it as opposed to the one sided style worn by buckskin dancers. The belt is either silver conchos or beaded with a drag. The women also wear three other items on the belt. They are the awl case, strike a lite bag and tobacco pouch. The dancer sometimes wears a scarf and choker. They also will carry a fan, purse and shawl. This type of dance is a truly beautiful aspect of Native American culture. and Southern style. The Southern style is danced by the Kiowas, Osage, Ponca, and others. The Northern style is danced by the Sioux, Crow, and others. The dance is a slow and graceful one much like the Women’s Buckskin style.[1]

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1. “Cloth Dancing”, Powwows.com, Posted By Paul G July 21st, 2011. ONLINE RESOURCE