war dances
Martial ritual movements
War dances are ceremonial dances performed before or after battle, traditionally by indigenous peoples to invoke spiritual protection, celebrate victory, or intimidate enemies.
The term appears in historical accounts of Native American, African, and Pacific Island cultures.
Figuratively, any aggressive display meant to provoke or prepare for conflict: The two sides engaged in diplomatic war dances before negotiations began.
- battle criesShouts to rally troops
- warriorsPeople engaged in battle
- corroboreeAboriginal ceremonial gathering
- sun dancePlains tribes' sacred rite
- warrior societiesOrganized martial brotherhoods
intimidation · beat · drum · leap · paint · face paint · shout · tribal chants · rhythm · prowess · sacred ground · mask · powwow · fearlessness · feathers · tribal · spear · shields
- clan traditionstradition, burial rites, initiation, elders, chief
- indigenous traditionselder council, powwows, totem poles, healing rituals, sweat lodges
- Pacific danceshula, Samoan dance, ceremonial dance, ritual dance, fire dance
- Pacific musicHawaiian music, string band, traditional chants, island music, cultural fusion
- Borneo peopleslonghouse, longhouses, adat, Saban, headhunting
- Melanesian beliefsancestor spirits, ancestral spirits, mana, sorcery, taboo
war dancescourtship dances
Ritualized movements to attract partners
funeral rites · rain dances · seasonal celebrations · victory celebrations · seasonal festivals
war, dancer, dancing, dances, danced, dancers, danceable, dancehall, dancehalls