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Image 8
8. Wolf or War Dance, Carl Chittim, ca. 1896
(Wind River Historical Center/Dubois Museum)
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A number of those interviewed recalled that Wolf Dances took place
in front of the old Agency buildings and that the white paint worn
by one of the dancers was typical of that time. Starr Weed and others
note that the dance was originally performed by men only, with the
women seated in a circle. Rupert Weeks wrote:
The Wolf Dance costume is one of the prettiest worn by the
Shoshones. They wear beaded vests, neck pieces and gloves. Their
headdress is made of porcupine quills and feathers. Fastened to
the back of their belts is a big bustle of feathers....At this
dance many of the little boys had Christmas tree decorations and
sleigh bells on their costumes. Long ago they wore shells to make
a noise. The costume can be just what the dancers or his parents
want.
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