snake-dance

[ sneyk-dans, -dahns ]

/ ˈsneɪkˌdæns, -ˌdɑns /

to perform a snake dance.

Origin of snake-dance

First recorded in 1880–85

snake dance

a ceremonial dance of the American Indian in which snakes or representations of snakes are handled or imitated by the dancers.

a parade or procession, especially in celebration of a sports victory, in which the participants weave in single file in a serpentine course.

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

The snake-dance itself took place in the afternoon at five o'clock.

A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open |Theodore Roosevelt
Remember the sacred bull of Egypt and the snake-dance of the Hopi.

The Tyranny of the Dark |Hamlin Garland
He said sneeringly that Maskelyne and Cooke in music had come to life, and suggested a snake-dance.

Pierre And His People, [Tales of the Far North], Complete |Gilbert Parker
There was, when last presented, no special dress adopted for the snake-dance, and the horn rattle is used also in other dances.

Contribution to Passamaquoddy Folk-Lore |J. Walter Fewkes

Among those at the snake-dance was a Franciscan priest, who has done much good work on the Navajo reservation.

A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open |Theodore Roosevelt

snake dance

a ceremonial dance, performed by the priests of the American Hopi Indians, in which live snakes are held in the mouth