Ghost Dances Costumes

Ghost Dances Costumes

1. Villagers (the dead)

   • Tells us the location - South American style
     • Layers/shawls/bright colours
     • Everyday clothes, everyday people
   • Torn and ragged to show trauma
     • Half complete
   • Adapted for practicality
     • Guests under the arms
     • Hidden pleats in bodices and skirts to allow free movement
   • Individual costumes to show they are individuals
     • Men
       • Coloured shirts and trousers
       • Boy with tie- comes into the dance- enhanced his playful relationship with the girl
     • Women
       • Colour shows status- red for the more mature lady- pale colours for the young women

2. Ghosts

   • All dressed identically
     • Lack of individuality
     • Stripped of identity
   • Lizard and bird like creatures
     • "Boost in-humane aspects"
   • Sketetal costume and skull mask
     • Muscles and bones highlighted with body paint
       • Enhances strength and dominance
   • Rags of torn black fabrics
     • Leather dressing gown cords- different textures
   • Feathers on wrists and ankles
     • Flight of the Shamen, link to the spirit world
   • Bare foot
   • Matted black hair
   • Other-worldly