The Shawnee marriage dance, a captivating ritual steeped in tradition and sensuality, served as a pivotal moment in the lives of young Shawnee men and women contemplating marriage. Allan W. Eckert, in his historical writings, provides a vivid account of this ceremony, particularly in the context of the courtship between the renowned Shawnee war chief, Blue Jacket, and his chosen partner, Wabethe. This article delves into the intricate details of the Shawnee marriage dance, exploring its setting, participants, symbolism, and ultimate purpose.
A Stage Set by Firelight
The dance unfolded under the cloak of a late evening sky. The heart of the Shawnee village transformed into an arena of courtship. A large fire, blazing in the principal clearing, cast flickering shadows and a warm glow upon the scene. Onlookers, members of the community, gathered around the fire, forming a broad oval. They sat on the ground, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames, eager to witness the unfolding drama of potential unions. This arrangement emphasized the communal nature of marriage within the Shawnee tribe, highlighting that a union was not merely a private affair, but one that impacted and was supported by the entire village.
The Participants: Adorned and Anxious
The central figures in the Shawnee marriage dance were the young men and women of marriageable age. Their attire was meticulously chosen and symbolic, reflecting the importance of the occasion.
The Men: Warriors in Waiting
The male participants entered the clearing in a single file, their appearance designed to impress and attract. They were clad in striking costumes crafted from the finest doeskin, carefully sun-bleached to a near-white hue. This bleaching process itself was a testament to the dedication and effort put into preparing for the dance. The doeskin garments were elaborately decorated with intricate beadwork, showcasing the skill and artistry of Shawnee craftspeople. Feathers, shells, porcupine quills, and shiny brass baubles were interwoven into the designs, adding texture, color, and visual interest.
The men were barefoot, connecting them to the earth and the spiritual realm. Those with long hair wore it loose, cascading down their shoulders, meticulously combed to a glossy sheen that reflected the firelight. The absence of ornamentation in their hair, even in the short, tufted hair of those who had shaved their heads save for a crest and temple patch, spoke to a focus on natural beauty and strength.
Instead of necklaces, they adorned themselves with wide bracelets and upper arm bands of beaten silver, showcasing their wealth and status. Strands of painted shells were wrapped around their ankles, creating a melodious chorus as they walked, a subtle but captivating auditory element to their entrance.
The Women: Grace and Boldness
Following the men, a similar number of young women entered the area, moving with a deliberate grace. They slipped at random through the seated guests, their movements adding an element of unpredictability and anticipation. Each woman positioned herself in a line approximately fifteen feet from the men, facing them, strategically choosing to stand opposite the man of her choice. This act of selection was the first overt expression of interest, a silent declaration of attraction.
Like the men, the women wore superbly tanned and bleached doeskin. Their attire consisted of simple pullover shifts that covered them to their knees, similarly adorned with beadwork, quills, brass, and plumes. While the style was simpler than the men’s, the quality and attention to detail were equally evident. Their hair, also meticulously combed, hung down their backs to their waistlines or even longer, a symbol of femininity and health.
While the men generally maintained a stoic expression, the women smiled boldly, their eyes glittering with the reflected firelight. This directness and confidence were an integral part of the dance. They occasionally shook themselves vigorously, causing their hair to flare wildly and their forms to be briefly outlined within their shifts, a tantalizing display of vitality and allure.
Every so often, they stamped their feet, sometimes individually but more often in unison, creating a delightful tinkling cadence with their shell anklets. This rhythmic stamping added to the overall energy and excitement of the dance.
The Music and the Chant: A Sensual Symphony
The atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of musicians. Seated close to the fire, a group of musicians prepared to weave a tapestry of sound. They played hand drums and rattles, providing a rhythmic foundation for the dance. A stringed instrument and a xylophonic arrangement of wooden cylinders depending from a cord added melodic layers to the music.
As the moment drew near, the musicians began a collection of sounds that quickly resolved themselves into a rhythmic pattern, becoming surprisingly melodious. This music served as the heartbeat of the dance, guiding the movements and emotions of the participants.
An older man, a respected member of the community, rose from within the circle and took a position at one end of the line. His motions timed themselves to the beat of the melody even before he reached his place. He immediately began a monotonous yet strangely compelling chant that fluctuated with the music. Eckert records the chant as:
"Ya ne hoo wa…ya ne hoo wa no…ya ne no hoo wa no…"
The meaning of these words may have been lost over time, but their effect was undeniable. The chant created a hypnotic atmosphere, drawing the dancers deeper into the ritual.
The Dance: A Dialogue of Desire
The opposing lines of men and women began swaying with the weird tune, gradually inching toward one another until less than a foot separated them. The dancers themselves then took up the chant in an alternating manner, first the soprano voices of the women, then a response by the deeper voices of the men.
Some repeated the same meaningless words of the chanting, while others put words to the rhythm. Through all of this, they continued their forward motion until they were separated by only an inch or so, all with their hands clasped behind them. This close proximity heightened the tension and sensuality of the dance.
This stage of the Shawnee marriage dance was particularly significant. It was here, amidst the swaying bodies, the chanting voices, and the flickering firelight, that the true communication began. The dancers let only their eyes, the touch of their bodies, and the soft chantings convey their meanings.
In Eckert’s account, Wabethe, excited and her dancing eyes locked on Blue Jacket, chanted the first words to pass between them. Leaning forward so that her face was very close to his and her breasts were pressed against his broad chest, she sang softly, melodiously, in time with the chant, "Psai-wi ne-noth-tu" – Great Warrior.
The whole line leaned the other way, and now it was Blue Jacket who pressed himself against her, bending slightly at the waist and feeling the warmth of her breasts against him, the deep rich sounds rolling from his lips, "U-le-thi e-qui-wa" – Beautiful woman.
Back and forth they continued swaying in this manner, exchanging compliments and expressions of admiration. Other dancers followed suit, whispering intimate words and desires.
The Climax: A Choice of Commitment
The tempo picked up, and the swaying quickened, with greater dips and pressures. Tiny beads of perspiration pearled themselves on Wabehte’s upper lip, and the firelight glinted in little sparkles from Blue Jacket’s forehead.
For the first time, their hands came into play, gripping and holding the one bending backward to prevent a fall, both parties fondling and caressing as they straightened, only to bend the other way.
Now came the crucial moment of the dance; if either Wabethe or Blue Jacket remained silent or simply chanted "Ouisah meni-e-de-luh" – Good dance – they could part at the end of the dance and each go their own ways, without the embarrassment or perhaps humiliation of a plainly stated rejection.
But at this moment, Blue Jacket leaned hard against Wabethe, and his words were urgent, "Ni haw-ku-nah-ga" – You are my wife.
"Ni-wy-she-an-a," Wabethe replied softly in his ear, smiling and resting her cheek against his – And you are my husband.
This exchange marked the culmination of the Shawnee marriage dance. It was a moment of profound commitment, a public declaration of their intention to marry. The dance served not only as a courtship ritual but also as a mechanism for ensuring mutual consent and avoiding forced unions.
Conclusion
The Shawnee marriage dance was a complex and multifaceted ritual that played a vital role in the social and cultural life of the Shawnee people. It was a celebration of beauty, desire, and commitment, a testament to the importance of marriage within the community. Through its intricate choreography, symbolic attire, and evocative music and chant, the dance provided a framework for young men and women to express their feelings, explore their options, and ultimately, choose their life partners. It remains a fascinating glimpse into the traditions and values of the Shawnee tribe.