The Creek Seal Medicine Food & CookingFestivitiesRibbon DanceReligionFuneralsGamesClansLanguageThe Story TellerHow the Clans
Came to beHow the Earth
was MadeThe Thunder HelperHow the Indian
Got the MedicineRabbit Outwits PantherHome

Ribbon Dance

The women had their own dance called the "Ribbon Dance." The Green Corn Ceremony of the Creeks is an old tradition celebrated long before their removal to Oklahoma. This was the time of year set aside for rejoicing and giving thanks to He-sa-ke-tv-me-se "Master of Life" for blessing them with an abundant crop. The Creeks have retained this ceremony to the present day. The Green Corn Ceremony is divided into day and night activities. one of the main day dances of the Green Corn Ceremony is the Ribbon Dance performed by the women. The Ribbon Dance is one of the most colorful and impressive dances of the Creeks. The dance is named for the ribbons worn by the women dancers. It is usually performed midday on Friday of the Green Corn Festival and lasts about three hours. Three or four women are appointed for life to conduce and lead the dance. Men singers for the dance are also selected. They fast until after the dance. The only instrument used is the gourd. Rattles and terrapin shells are worn by the women. Ten to twelve shells are fastened in a semi-circular form on the hide and worn below the knee. Some women use tin cans instead of terrapin shells. The women leaders were chosen from the elders first. The women leaders carried sticks painted red on the ends. These were waved in rhythm. Sometimes the sticks were replaced by knives also painted red. The women dance four rounds or make sixteen rounds of the grounds. They dance single file in a counter-clockwise circle. They dance for two rounds, rest, and dance two more rounds.