Ghost dance

Ghost dance, ceremonial ritual of a religion originated by the Paiute Indians in Nevada c. 1870. It was led by the mystic prophet Wovoka, who prophesied the rebirth of the dead and the restoration of the Indians to their lands. The ritual took place over several days and was characterized by hypnotic trances. The Sioux performed the ritual prior to their massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 in the belief that they would be protected from the bullets.