Sun Dance (Noun)
Meaning
A ceremonial dance performed by Amerindians at the summer solstice.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The Oglala Sioux perform the sun dance to honor the gods of thunder, lightning, and the sun.
- During the sun dance, the dancers tie thongs made of rawhide to the sun pole, causing intense pain and bleeding.
- The sun dance ceremony includes chanting, singing, and the beating of drums to honor the spirits.
- Elders and spiritual leaders lead the young men in the preparation and performance of the sun dance in many Native American communities.
- It was a notable event for outsiders to witness a Sioux sun dance, with some describing it as an unforgettable experience.