Native American dance
staffs are used in traditional ceremonies.
A Native American dance staff or stick is a unique part of the dance ritual used during campfire dances. Often they were used in war dances, or as part of a memorial to a beloved horse. Traditionally made from a stick with a dear antler at the end, they have glass beads that represent a clan or family's color, feathers that represent the Great Spirit and webbing that catches good spirits. Dance staffs feature dream catchers or medicine bundles, and they're decorated in different ways depending on the dance.
Instructions
1. Place the feather at the top of the stick and wrap the leather stripping around both. Tie the leather in a knot to secure it in place.
2. Tie another piece of leather stripping that's about 2 feet long at the base of the stick so that both ends of the stripping hang down from the stick. Trim with scissors to desired length.
3. String beads and bells onto the ends of the leather stripping and tie them into place.
4. Add a personal touch and decorate with additional leather, feathers, dream catchers, or anything else that makes it special to you.
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