The Ghost Dance Cult

Part I of Essay
was a religous movement among Native Americans during the late1800’s in the far west. It offered the Indians hope ofspiritual renewal and a return to their oldway of living. The religion promised that dead Indian ancestors and game animals would comeback to life. It was ....

Part II of Essay
.... and a ghost scalp dance. Among western Sioux in 1890, believers danced around a pole or tree decorated with sacred artifacts. The dancers wore special clothing called ghost shirts, which were painted with sacred symbols, including moons, stars, and eagles. The Sioux believed the shirts would protect them from anything, even enemy bullets. The Ghost Dance prospered in the Indian communities for nearly ten years. Then, in 1897, the Ghost Dance at Alisal was accompanied by a procession led by Chief Tarino to Mission San Jose's centennial ....