snake dance

Or snake-dance

[sneyk dans]

noun

1. any ceremonial dance, such as that of the Hopi or Chickasaw people, in which snakes or representations of snakes are handled or imitated by the dancers.

2. a parade or procession, especially in celebration of a sports victory, in which the participants weave in single file in a serpentine course.

verb (used without object)

snake danced, snake dancing 

1. to perform a snake dance.

snake dance

noun

1. a ceremonial dance, performed by the priests of the American Hopi Indians, in which live snakes are held in the mouth

2. 1. the swaying movements of snakes responding to a snake charmer

   2. a Hindu dance in which performers imitate such snake movements

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake dance¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75