Chickasaw Dance Troupe to resume stomp dance classes

ADA, Okla. – The Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe will host stomp dance classes at the Chickasaw Nation Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi, 6-8 p.m., April 28 and June 30.

Participants will learn the Chickasaw tradition of stomp dancing taught by cultural specialists from the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Resources team. Classes are open to the public at no charge.

Stomp dancing has deep roots in Chickasaw culture, along with other Southeastern Indian tribes. Dances are connected to spirituality, tradition, ceremony and social events, with different dances for various occasions. Each is an opportunity to come together as a community.

The stomp dance classes are designed for all levels of dancers and ages.

Men and women have different roles to play during a dance. Men sing stomp dance songs in a call-and-answer format, following a male song leader, who often sets the dance rhythm using a handheld turtle shell rattle.

Women enhance a dance rhythm by wearing shakers strapped to their calves. These shakers are often made from natural materials, such as turtle shells (filled with river rock pebbles) and deer toes. Female dancers also use tin cans filled with river rock pebbles.

The most common type of dance practiced today is the social dance. Social dances often have animal-themed names, like the snake or garfish dances. Each social dance has a unique song and technique to be learned by the dancers.

During the snake dance, dancers will hold hands, curve and swerve while moving, much like a snake. The snake dance is one of the oldest-known Chickasaw dances and has been passed on for many generations.

Stomp dancing is essential to Chickasaw culture. The tradition is shared Tuesday through Saturday during dance exhibitions at the Chickasaw Cultural Center and special events such as the Three Sisters Celebration, the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival and Chikasha Ittafama (Chickasaw Reunion).

For more information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Resources at (580) 622-7140.