Historic Significance

• Throughout history, the meaning of the deer dance has varied slightly among Pueblo Indian villages. In the past, the significance of the Laguna Pueblo deer dance was twofold: to seek consent from the hunting spirit to kill a deer for much needed food and clothing, and to ask the deer's forgiveness because its life must be sacrificed in order to provide for the tribe. Native Americans never wasted or took for granted anything procured from nature.
  
  

Evolved Meaning

• Jemez Pueblo Indians pay tribute to the harvesting of deer, buffalo, antelope and ram together in one winter ceremony. Most Pueblo Indians annually reenact deer dance rituals on Jan. 6 in honor of Three King's Day. Village deer dances also celebrate individual feast days each year, such as the San Ildefonso Pueblo feast day on Jan. 23 and the San Diego feast day at the Tesuque Pueblo on Nov. 12.
  
  

Deer Dance Costume

• The Pueblo Indian deer dance is usually performed by men of the tribe. The deer's physical characteristics are displayed in accordance with the deer dancer's costume. Atop the dancer's head are deer antlers, and in his hands he grasps a pair of wooden sticks embellished with fur that symbolize the animal's two front legs. Wrapped around the dancer's legs are clattering seashells that intermingle with surrounding tribal chants as the ritual progresses.
  
  

Dancer's Cadence

• As dramatized by a Pueblo Indian deer dancer, the graceful movements of the deer change when the animal senses that it is being pursued. First moving in rapid, delicate steps, the dancer's motions escalate as he sprints, leaps and darts in an attempt to evade the symbolic hunter. Drumbeats and intonations accompany each movement of the deer dancer.
  
  

Sacred Tradition

• Tribal dances are regarded as prayers among Native Americans, and although Pueblo Indians value their privacy, outsiders may view the highly religious deer dance ceremonies. However, cameras and recording devices are strictly forbidden, with sketches, paintings and drawings of any kind not allowed without prior written approval.