medicine dance

American  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of medicine dance

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

It may be the boy’s medicine dance, part of the ritual which will keep harm away from him.”

From Boy Scouts in Glacier Park The Adventures of Two Young Easterners in the Heart of the High Rockies by Eaton, Walter Prichard

Besides the buffaloe dance we have just described, there is another called medicine dance, an entertainment given by any person desirous of doing honour to his medicine or genius.

From History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark, Vol. I. To the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and Down the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Performed During the Years 1804-5-6. by Allen, Paul

The medicine dance is carried on chiefly to celebrate the skill of the "Medicine-man" in curing diseases.

From Wau-bun The Early Day in the Northwest by Kinzie, Juliette Augusta Magill

The object of the medicine dance is to work up the dancer to a state of trance, in which he receives a revelation in regard to the matter under consideration.

From The Arrow-Maker A Drama in Three Acts by Austin, Mary Hunter

One of the wonderful things done by this man was at a medicine dance.

From Pawnee Hero Stories and Folk-Tales With notes on the origin, customs and character of the Pawnee people by Grinnell, George Bird