Gourd Dance

Hungry and dehydrated after many days of travel, the young man approached a hill and heard an unusual kind of singing coming from the other side.

Beginning in 1890 the United States government began to actively enforce bans on Kiowa cultural ceremonials and the Gourd Dance was out of normal practice by the late 1930s.

In 1957 the Kiowa Director for the American Indian Exposition, Fred Tsoodle, called upon singers Bill Koomsa and William Tanedooah who remembered the Gourd Dance songs.

Also called were Clyde Ahtape, Harry Hall Zotigh, Fred Botone, Oliver Tanedooah, and Abel Big Bow in Kiowa Gourd Dance dress to dance to the songs for a special tribal presentation at that year's festivities.

However, leaders of all three of the earliest Kiowa-established gourd dance organizations agree that this is not a requirement to become a member of the societies.

Modern Gourd Dance regalia consists of a red and blue blanket draped over the shoulders.

A skunk berry (Ka-hole) and silver beaded bandolier fastened on the left shoulder is draped across the heart.

The red skunk berry bandolier was added as a memorial tribute to a battle fought with Cheyenne warriors.

Traditionally dressed gourd dancers wear buckskin leggings and a long, red breechcloth.

Following Kiowa protocol, it is considered disrespectful to wear ball caps, T-shirts, cowboy hats or boots while participating in this dance.