The turkey dance (Caddo: Núh Kaʔáwshan[1]) is one of the most important traditional dances among Caddo people.[2] Women dance the turkey dance, while men drum and sing the songs, which describe events in Caddo history.
The dance takes place in the afternoon and is finished by sunset, when turkeys return to their roosts.[2][3] Caddos traditionally founded their villages and camps near turkey roosts, because the turkeys served as sentinels — creating noises when people approached.
- ^ Edmonds, Randlett. Nusht'uhti?ti? Hasinay: Caddo Phrasebook. Richardson, TX: Various Indian Peoples Publishing, 2003: 19. ISBN 1-884655-00-9.
- ^ a b "Caddo Heritage & Culture." Caddo Nation. 2007 (retrieved 27 Dec 2010)
- ^ Carter 359