The Hoop Dance: Mesmerizing

The Native American Hoop Dance is not only awe inspiring and spiritually immersive, it’s laborious to master.  The chilling music, sheer strength, physical endurance and dedication to the dance are not for the faint of heart.

A performer must physically interpret the intrinsic meaning of the dance from his soul: “a prayer that promises renewal of the collective human spirit to accelerate and find peace in one great hoop made of many hoops”, the hoop representing “the never ending cycle of life, having no beginning and no end.”(1)(2)

The traditional Hoop Dance uses a solo dancer stepping methodically to the rhythmic chant of a singer accompanied by drums, rattles and a dozen or more hoops that the dancer forms into shapes of nature such as a butterfly or an eagle as in the traditional dance of the Lakota tribe or in the case of the White Mountain Apache, a ritual dance of healing.

The number of hoops vary from a few that require the performers to dance faster or  many which requires them to dance slower.  Each dance is individually choreographed along with traditional clothing and hoop variation and construction.  Some of the modern performers have even incorporated  hip hop moves into their routines or use piping material secured with colored taping instead of the traditional colored willow branches or reeds in their hoop creations.

Because of the complexity of the dance and time constraints involved, dancers are primarily booked on world tours, exhibitions, and competitions.  Surprisingly, Indian Pow Wow celebrations don’t often invite guest Hoop Dancers because of their grueling schedules.(5)

Native American Hoop Dancers are  special human beings, not only for the discipline they must endure, but for the beautiful and peaceful message they convey.

 ** I was first introduced to Hoop Dancing after reading, Arising, by famed hoop dancer, Kevin Locke . In it he shares the eternal message of hope, unity and peace among all the peoples of the world through traditional dance, music and storytelling.  So please sit back, relax and experience the amazing and energetic, Nakotah LaRance– 6 time World Hoop Dancing Champion and the beautiful story behind the dance by Derrick Suwaima Davis.

References

1. History of the modern Hoop Dance-indiancountrymedianetwork.com 2016.
2.  Leizens, Tish”Kevin Locke Elevating the Human Spirit Through Music and Dance” 2016.
3.  Youtube video: Nakotah LaRance-6 time 2018 World Hoop Dance Championship
4. Youtube video: Derrick Suwaima Davis, Clark County Library-Jewell Box Theatre, Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Feature Photo: Google Images-Hoop Dancers.
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_Hoop_Dance