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Metal dance bells on leather straps
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Metal dance bells on leather straps / Unknown

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Curatorial Remarks

The dance bells are worn during ceremonial dances such as straight dances and pow wows. They are part of "Indian clothes" worn on the legs attached below the knee. They're worn as a way to associate one's self as part of an Indian community. Dance bells are made with many different types of materials such a tin cans, and metal bells. Dance bells are used as a way of maintaining rhythm through the sound of the bells and are worn by men. If these dance bells are Kaw they would have been worn during a straight dance.

Tags: leather straps, dance bells
People: Kaw
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial events, powwow, dance

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Metal dance bells on leather straps
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Kaw
Date: 
20th century
Place: 
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Materials/Techniques: 
hide, metal
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Bell
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mary Thompson Bryan and Lawrence E. Bryan
Accession No: 
84.3024a-b
Previous Number(s): 
TL1999.54.9a-b; TL1999.54.9a-b; 84.3024 a-b
Department: 
Anthropology
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