Turkey dance
Encyclopedia
The turkey dance is one of the most important traditional dances among Caddo
people. Women dance the turkey dance, while men drum and sing the songs, which describe events in Caddo history.
The dance takes place in the afternoon and finished by sunset, when turkeys return to their roosts. Caddos traditionally founded their villages and camps near turkey roosts, because the turkeys served as sentinels — creating noises when people approached.
18th century Spanish missionaries wrote descriptions of Hasinai
women dancing the turkey dance when warriors returned to their village. In the 21st century, Caddo women still dance with a ceremonial cane presented to the tribe by the Spanish before 1809.
The Caddo have continuously maintained the turkey dance, but it particularly enjoyed a revival after World War II
.
Today turkey dances are usually held at the Caddo National Tribal Complex dance grounds in Binger, Oklahoma
. The Hasinay Society and Caddo Cultural Club both perform turkey dances.
s, that is a plaque adorned with brass or mirrors and flowing ribbons. Dresses are ankle-length with ribbons sewn around the skirt. Blouses match the skirts in color and have flared yokes. Over their skirts, women wear full-length aprons.
. Many recount military exploits, but they begin with oral history of the creation of the Caddo people. One song tells about the overnight creation of Caddo Lake
. As Cecile Elkins Carter writes, "The dances celebrate Caddo survival."
Caddo
The Caddo Nation is a confederacy of several Southeastern Native American tribes, who traditionally inhabited much of what is now East Texas, northern Louisiana and portions of southern Arkansas and Oklahoma. Today the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma is a cohesive tribe with its capital at Binger, Oklahoma...
people. Women dance the turkey dance, while men drum and sing the songs, which describe events in Caddo history.
The dance takes place in the afternoon and finished by sunset, when turkeys return to their roosts. Caddos traditionally founded their villages and camps near turkey roosts, because the turkeys served as sentinels — creating noises when people approached.
History
The turkey dances are ancient, and several stories of their origin exist. One explanation is that a Caddo man, hunting in the forest, heard singing. The source was a rafter of turkey hens dancing in a circle around a tom turkey. The hunter carefully observed and memorized the dance to share with his tribe.18th century Spanish missionaries wrote descriptions of Hasinai
Hasinai
The Hasinai Confederacy was a large confederation of Caddo-speaking Native Americans located between the Sabine and Trinity rivers in eastern Texas...
women dancing the turkey dance when warriors returned to their village. In the 21st century, Caddo women still dance with a ceremonial cane presented to the tribe by the Spanish before 1809.
The Caddo have continuously maintained the turkey dance, but it particularly enjoyed a revival after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Dance
In a day of Caddo dances, the turkey dance is the first one performed. The dance has several phases. In the past, women danced around a pole. During the third phase the women cluster around the men drumming in the center of the dance area. During the final phase, the women dancers get to choose male dance partners. The dance is concluded with a flag song and the lowering of the US flag in honor of Caddo veterans. The dance movements of the women may have been inspired by turkey movements.Today turkey dances are usually held at the Caddo National Tribal Complex dance grounds in Binger, Oklahoma
Binger, Oklahoma
Binger is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.Binger is the headquarters of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, who were settled here in the 1870s....
. The Hasinay Society and Caddo Cultural Club both perform turkey dances.
Regalia
Caddo women's dance regalia include handmade dresses, broadcloth blankets, beadwork, and dush-tohDush-toh
A dush-toh, also spelled dush-too, dush-tooh, or dush-tuh, is a traditional Caddo hair ornament worn by girls and women during dances, particularly the Turkey Dance....
s, that is a plaque adorned with brass or mirrors and flowing ribbons. Dresses are ankle-length with ribbons sewn around the skirt. Blouses match the skirts in color and have flared yokes. Over their skirts, women wear full-length aprons.
Songs
52 Caddo turkey dance songs are still sung today. They recount Caddo historical events in the many dialects that comprise the Caddo languageCaddo language
Caddo is the only surviving Southern Caddoan language of the Caddo language family. It is spoken by the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Today, only 25 elderly speakers are estimated to remain, none of whom are monolingual Caddo speakers, making Caddo a critically endangered language...
. Many recount military exploits, but they begin with oral history of the creation of the Caddo people. One song tells about the overnight creation of Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is a lake and wetland located on the border between Texas and Louisiana, in northern Harrison County and southern Marion County in Texas and western Caddo Parish in Louisiana. The lake is named after the Southeastern culture of Native Americans called Caddoans or Caddo, who lived in...
. As Cecile Elkins Carter writes, "The dances celebrate Caddo survival."
External links
- Downloadable Caddo turkey dance songs, on CaddoPottery.com