Survey of Dance Genres
The majority of the dances performed by this tribe have a musical tempo of moderato or andante. In other words, both of these terms indicate a medium tempo. The song that is performed to an allegro or fast tempo is the War Dance (known as the Tibuli Hila by the Choctaw).
In the Jump or Stomp Dance which is known as "Opanka haco by both Creek or Seminole tribes and the Cherokees as Dilsti" (Howard and Levine, 1990:38), the dance starts with double lines consisting of both men and women. The men are positioned "on the outside and the women on the inside" (Howard and Levine,1990:38). The participants maneuver consist of "a counterclockwise circular progressions employing a trotting step while singing in antiphonal style phrases" (Howard and Levine, 1990:38). In this dance-song sequence, the singing is performed only by the men and boys. The women only dance.
In the Double Header song-dance sequence, the participants start by forming an "alternating combination men and women with arms linked in a single file line. When the music starts, the dancers walk in a counterclockwise progression. On a musical cue, the dancers turn and began jumping on the left foot then on the right" (Howard and Levine, 1990:42). The pattern continues for a specific number of repetitions have been performed. After this the direction is changed and the sequence is repeated through the duration of dance.
The Tick or Walk Dance is performed as a processional or march. The purpose of this song-dance sequence is to display the dance costumes. This dance is "very solemn and dignified" (Howard and Levine, 1990:43). In the procession, the men are arranged "in front of the single file line followed by the women" Howard and Levine, 1990:43). The
Tick or Walk Dance is performed by both Oklahoma and Mississippi Choctaws.
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