Native American Fancy Scarf Dancer
by Priscilla Burgers
Title
Native American Fancy Scarf Dancer
Artist
Priscilla Burgers
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The 19 year-old Native American girl seen here is dancing the Fancy Scarf (or Shawl) Dance at the 2014 National Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The dancer to the left is an 8 year-old Native American boy who has been dancing since age one.
In the Fancy Scarf Dance, elaborately beaded capes, moccasins and leggings are complemented by beautifully embroidered or decorated long fringed shawls. The colorful outfits match the spirited twirling and prancing of this exuberant dance.
Although there is more than one version of the origin of Women's Fancy Dance, its evolution has been witnessed by the public in the pow-wow arena. One anecdote relates that women were dancing in men's fancy dance regalia, and when they began to enter competition and beat the men, it was decided that they should have their own dance. Now women's fancy dance features a fast pace and the distinctive brightly colored shawl. The shawl itself is an adaptation of the blanket carried or worn traditionally by women. Native culture is still practiced daily even in contemporary society.
As an active living culture, it is dynamic and has grown and changed with the times. Fancy dance regalia shows that while maintaining the basic forms and designs of the past, new materials such as sequins, ribbon, and fabric and new styles can be combined with bead work, quills, and feathers resulting in regalia that still expresses unique Native identity.
Fancy dance was originally danced in the northern part of Indian country by a few brave women, who were sometimes ostracized or booed for their efforts by traditionalists resistant to change. It gradually gained acceptance over many years and has adapted to its present form. The dance itself is a combination of intricate footwork that is choreographed extemporaneously in response to the beat and tone of the music from the drum and singers.
The appropriate style of this dance is one of a constant whirl of beauty and grace, rather than wild movements. In addition to style and footwork, judges look for endurance, agility, and showmanship.
THE DANCE Contest - 4/11/2017
FIRST PLACE
ALL COLORADO MONTHLY GEM Contest - 8/9/2015
THIRD PLACE
Nominated for Special Feature:
Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Group - 10/6/2017
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Premium FAA Artists Group-01/20/2014
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Women Photographers Group-01/20/2014
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All Natural Scenic Landscapes Group-01/21/2014
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Out West Group-01/21/2014
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Places You Visited and Would Recommend to Others Group-01/23/2014
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Western Group-01/24/2014
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Comfortable Art Group-01/25/2014
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1-2-3-4-5 Group-01/25/2014
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All Red Rock Country Group-01/25/2014
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Memories and Nostalgia Group-01/25/2014
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Weekly Fun For All Mediums Group-02/1/2014
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100 Views Photography Group-02/27/2014
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Any Native American Nation or reservations Group-03/06/2014
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The Photographers Cafe Group - 08/25/2014
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Appreciating Works From All Mediums Group - 08/25/2014
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Art From the Past Group - 08/25/2014
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Images That Excite You Group - 08/25/2014
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Creators of Beauty Group - 08/25/2014
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All COLORADO Group - 08/25/2014
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What? Group - 08/25/2014
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The World We See Group - 08/25/2014
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People Group - 08/25/2014
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Photographic Art Group - 08/25/2014
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Pleasing the Eye Group - 08/25/2014
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Out of the Ordinary Group - 08/25/2014
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Black Background and Color Group - 08/26/2014
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Cafe Art Group - 08/26/2014
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In the Mood Group - 08/28/2014
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Visions of the Night - 8/29/2014
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Tutus Group - 6/9/2015
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All Fine Artwork Group - 6/21/2015
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500 and Beyond Fine Art Group - 5/12/2017
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Art District Group - 5/12/2017
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Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Group - 5/13/2017
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Your Very Best Photography Group - 5/16/2017
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500 Views Group - 5/27/2017
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500 to 1000 Photo Group - 5/29/2017
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USA Photographers Only Group - 9/18/2017
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Lady Photographers and Artists Group - 9/22/2017
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1000 Views on 1 Image Group - 9/30/2017
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Artist Salon 1 Group - 10/28/2017
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Travel Art Group - 5/31/2020
Uploaded
January 18th, 2014
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Comments (99)
Gary F Richards
Outstanding capture and artwork! Fl …voted in the JUST BECAUSE SERIES- ELEGANT DESIGNS EN NOIRE-ALL...contest
Tatiana Travelways
Congratulations - Your beautiful artwork has been featured in the "Travel Art" gallery at Fine Art America! For further promotion, you can post it to the specific Travel Destinations galleries, our Facebook group and our Pinterest board - All the links are provided on our group's homepage.
Nancy Lee Moran
Your richly colored photo has my vote in the contest of "Dance Like No One is Watching" contest.
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #7 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Randy Rosenberger
Your artwork recently submitted to our group WFS, has been chosen to be featured on our homepage with other members of our family of friends and fine artists. Thanks for sharing the beauty.
Pamela Williams
What a fine piece of artwork and I am happy to announce that this beauty has been featured on the streets of the Art District group. Congratulations for this accomplishment! You may archive your work in the groups "Feature Archives & Thank You Thread"
Jeannie Rhode Photography
Priscilla, Congratulations on your Feature in Black Background and Color !
Lyric Lucas
Congratulations your creative and unique art work is featured in the "Out Of The Ordinary" group!
Robin EL-Hachem
Fantastic capture and I really appreciated the description telling of how it originated! L/F
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