medicine dance

noun

1. a ritual dance performed by some North American Indians to invoke supernatural assistance as for driving out disease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of medicine dance¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Then we danced the medicine dance; and Kasiascall went alone to the country of the Chinooks, to the fort of the Boston men.

From Project Gutenberg

The tune they sung to the Medicine-dance of the Loucheux, struck me as being soft and pretty.

From Project Gutenberg

After a medicine dance, according to Indian custom, they proposed a feast, but there was nothing on which to feast.

From Project Gutenberg

After two days the Indian doctors held a medicine dance for her benefit.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be the boys medicine dance, part of the ritual which will keep harm away from him.

From Project Gutenberg