Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are an important part of nearly every culture on Earth, and Native American culture is no exception. Native American wedding dresses are quite different from the traditional white wedding dresses common in Western culture. Native American wedding dresses are usually colourful, with symbolic colours woven into the bride's attire, representing the four cardinal directions. The dresses often incorporate intricate designs, embroidery, or beading, and are sometimes passed down through generations as family heirlooms. Native American wedding ceremonies also include other traditions and rituals, such as the exchange of gifts and special dances, which vary from tribe to tribe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress colours | Red, bright colours, white, blue, yellow, orange, black |
| Jewellery | Turquoise, silver, wampum beads, shell or beaded necklaces |
| Wedding attire | Intricate designs, embroidery, beading, symbolic stitching |
| Vows | Recited while holding an eagle feather in the left hand |
| Traditions | Rite of the Seven Steps, ceremonial dances, vase ritual |
| Wedding gifts | Horse, hundreds of gifts for guests |
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What You'll Learn
Native American wedding dresses are colourful, unlike Western-style dresses
Native American wedding dresses are often colourful, a stark contrast to the white wedding dresses popular in Western culture. Native American wedding dresses are usually bright and colourful, with reds, blues, yellows, oranges and blacks being commonly incorporated into the dress. These colours can be symbolic of the four cardinal directions: white for the east, blue for the south, yellow or orange for the west, and black for the north. The colours can also represent the different tribes, with each tribe having distinct traditions and customs.
The dresses may also feature intricate designs, embroidery, or beading. For example, Hopi brides often wear thick leggings, a dark dress, and a white blanket draped across their shoulders, while Delaware women wear knee-length deerskin skirts with wampum beads on their heads. Yupik Eskimo brides don a special headdress, while Cherokee brides wear all-white dresses and white moccasins.
In some tribes, the bride's dress is passed down from generation to generation, becoming a cherished family heirloom. The dresses may also be made from pieces of cloth that other tribal women tore into rectangles or squares. Jewellery is also an important part of the Native American wedding dress, with turquoise and silver pieces, as well as concho belts, being worn to ward off evils such as hunger, poverty, and bad luck.
While Native American wedding dresses vary greatly from tribe to tribe, they all embrace a colourful and vibrant aesthetic, setting them apart from the traditional Western-style wedding dress.
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Dresses are often passed down through generations
The wedding dresses worn by Native American brides differ from Western-style wedding dresses. Native American wedding dresses are often colourful, with symbolic colours and designs, embroidery, or beading. The dresses are also frequently passed down from generation to generation, making them precious family heirlooms.
The specific style of the dress varies from tribe to tribe. For instance, Hopi women often wear thick leggings, a dark dress, and a white blanket draped over their shoulders. Delaware women, on the other hand, traditionally wear a knee-length deerskin skirt, wampum beads, and a shell or beaded necklace. In warmer climates, where women are considered providers as they raise crops, the communities are generally more matriarchal. In cooler climates, where families depend on hunting, the communities are usually patriarchal.
In Cherokee tribes, brides wear all-white dresses and white moccasins. In colonial times, dresses were made from pieces of cloth that other tribal women tore into rectangles or squares. The Cherokee also have a vase ritual as part of their wedding ceremonies. The vase, made by the groom's family, has two spouts joined by a handle, symbolising the couple's new life together.
The Algonquian tribes have their own unique traditions. The bride and groom wear handmade traditional clothing, and the bride washes in water on the morning of the wedding to be blessed by the Earth's spirit. They also hold an eagle feather in their left hands while reciting their vows, representing their connection to the Great Spirit.
Nearly all tribes incorporate symbolic colours into their wedding attire. For example, Yupik Eskimo brides wear a special headdress, while the grooms of the Chippewa tribe wear a garment with two all-white wedding robes, one with red stripes, deerskin leggings, and moccasins.
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Some tribes have brides who wear white
Native American wedding dresses are typically colourful and bright, differing from the traditional white wedding dress. However, some tribes have brides who wear white. For example, in Cherokee tribes, brides wear all-white dresses and white moccasins. In colonial times, these dresses were made from pieces of cloth that other tribal women tore into rectangles or squares. Today, some Cherokee women wear a traditional-style tear dress with a white calico pattern.
In some tribes, the bride's dress may be woven with symbolic colours: white for the east, blue for the south, yellow or orange for the west, and black for the north. The symbolic colours may also be incorporated into the groom's outfit. For example, in the Klamath, Modoc, and Yurok tribes of northern California, the bride and groom wear turquoise and silver jewellery, along with a silver concho belt.
In the Algonquian tribes, the bride and groom wear handmade traditional clothing. The bride wears a knee-length deerskin skirt, wampum beads on her head, and a shell or beaded necklace. Her face is painted with various coloured clay. The bride washes in water (from a lake, river, pond, or ocean) on the morning of the wedding to be blessed by the spirit of the Earth.
Some tribes wear modern wedding clothing, such as a white dress and tuxedo, while others wear traditional deerskin clothing. For example, a Hopi bride's wedding attire consists of thick leggings, a dark dress, and a white blanket draped across her shoulders.
Native American wedding ceremonies differ from tribe to tribe, and it is important to respect and honour the unique traditions and customs of each tribe.
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The type of dress varies from tribe to tribe
The wedding day is a very important and spiritual day for the Native American bride and groom, and many tribes have unique wedding traditions and rituals. For example, the Cherokee and Pueblo people celebrate a vase ritual as part of their wedding ceremonies, while the Ojibwa or Chippewa tribe recites their wedding vows while holding an eagle feather in their left hands. The type of dance performed during the wedding can also vary from tribe to tribe, with some tribes having special ritual dances.
While some tribes stick to traditional wedding attire, others have modernised their wedding clothing. Some modern Native American brides opt for a contemporary white gown with traditional Native American features such as symbolic stitching and embroidery. Additionally, some couples may wear modern wedding clothing, such as a white dress and a tuxedo, depending on the tribe, type of wedding, and location.
It is important to note that Native American culture is composed of many tribes, and it is challenging to characterise any aspect of a wedding as solely "Native American". Therefore, when planning a wedding that reflects Native American heritage, it is crucial to understand the specific traditions and customs of the tribes involved.
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Jewellery is often worn to shield against evils
Native American wedding dresses are quite different from traditional Western wedding dresses. They are usually colourful, with reds, blues, yellows, oranges, and blacks being common. The dresses are often woven with symbolic colours representing the cardinal directions: white for the east, blue for the south, yellow or orange for the west, and black for the north. Some tribes also incorporate intricate designs, embroidery, or beading into their dresses. These dresses are sometimes passed down from generation to generation and are considered family heirlooms.
Native American wedding ceremonies vary greatly from tribe to tribe, and jewellery is a significant component of many of them. Jewellery is often worn as a shield against evils, such as hunger, poverty, and bad luck. Turquoise and silver jewellery, for example, are worn by both the bride and groom in tribes of northern California, including the Klamath, the Modoc, and the Yurok.
Jewellery has long been worn as a protective amulet or devotional medal to ward off evil and bring good fortune. In ancient times, jewellery was worn to protect against the dangers of life and to display status or power. The ancient Romans and Greeks wore jewellery to ward off the "evil eye", believed to be caused by envy or malice. The "evil eye" symbol is still used in protection jewellery, along with other symbols such as the Hamsa hand, the Norse rune Algiz, and the Celtic Shield Knot. Crystals and gemstones are also believed to carry protective energies, with different stones associated with specific ailments or threats, such as toothache or the evil eye.
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Frequently asked questions
Native American wedding dresses are usually bright and colourful, with colours varying from tribe to tribe. The colours often carry symbolic meanings, such as white for the east, blue for the south, yellow or orange for the west, and black for the north.
The materials used for Native American wedding dresses differ from tribe to tribe. In colonial times, dresses were typically made from pieces of cloth that other tribal women tore into rectangles or squares.
The wedding dress of a Hopi woman often includes thick leggings, a dark dress, and a white blanket draped across her shoulders. Delaware women wear a knee-length deerskin skirt, wampum beads, and a shell or beaded necklace. Yupik Eskimo brides generally wear a special headdress, while Cherokee brides wear all-white dresses and white moccasins.
Jewellery is considered significant in Native American wedding ceremonies, as it is believed to shield against evils such as hunger, poverty, and bad luck. Turquoise and silver jewellery are commonly worn by both the bride and groom, along with a silver concho belt.
Yes, Native American wedding ceremonies include various rituals and traditions that vary across tribes. For example, the bride and groom may hold an eagle feather in their left hands while exchanging vows, or they may perform the Rite of the Seven Steps, which involves circling clockwise around a fire to symbolise warmth and light.
