Modern Ledger Jingle Dancer 1 Handmade Acrylic Engraved Earring Set
The Jingle Dress Dance (also known as the Healing Dance or Prayer Dance) emerged from the Ojibwe/Anishinaabe people in the early 1900s, and holds deep spiritual and cultural significance in powwow traditions across Turtle Island. The dance is characterized by the melodious sounds created by the metal cones (often made from snuff can lids traditionally, though now often crafted from other materials) sewn onto the dancer's dress in rows. Each dress typically carries hundreds of these jingles, creating a distinctive rain-like sound as the dancer moves.
The origin of the Jingle Dress Dance is connected to a spiritual vision during the influenza pandemic of 1918, when a medicine man's daughter was ill. In the vision, he was shown how to make the dress and the steps of the dance that would help heal his community. The rhythmic sounds of the jingles are said to carry prayers to the Creator, and the dance continues to be associated with healing and spiritual power.
Today, Jingle Dress dancers move with precision and grace, performing distinctive footwork that creates complex rhythmic patterns. The dance style is characterized by keeping both feet close to the ground, with light bouncing steps that make the jingles sound in time with the drum. Dancers often incorporate healing prayers into their performance, maintaining the sacred nature of this tradition while participating in both traditional and competitive powwow settings.
With choose gold-colored, silver-colored, or antique brass hardware. Offered in Rose Gold Mirror Acrylic, Yellow Gold Mirror Acrylic, or Silver Mirror Acrylic.
Indigenous-designed. Indigenous made in Canada.
Measure 2.6 inches side to side.