The Gourd Dance originated with the Kiowa tribe, and is a man's dance. Women participate by dancing in place behind their male counterparts and outside the perimeter formed by the men. The dance in the Kiowa Language is called "ti-ah pi-ah" which means "ready to go, ready to die".
The Kiowa consider this dance as their dance since it was given to them by "Red Wolf". It has spread to many other tribes and societies, most of which do not have the blessing of the Kiowa Elders. Some gourd societies do not distinguish race as a criterion, and even non-Indians can and are inducted into their gourd societies, the Kiowa gourd dance society however only inducts Indians of half blood or more. Many participants may be older men, and the dance is less energetic and less physically demanding than most pow-wow dances. Some of the Gourd Dances that are held go on all afternoon and on into the evening when it finally cools off enough so that more energetic Inter-tribal dances can begin. Some Tribal dances feature only Gourd Dancing.
Inspired both by legend and history, the gourd dance ceremony is an essential part of the Kiowa people. Make that the Tdiepeigah, which loosely translates to both skunkberry and brave and is the name used by the Kiowa instead of the generic term gourd dance; the gourd refers to a rattle. Whether you attribute Tdiepeigah to the Kiowa warrior who was taught the songs by a red wolf who instructed him to teach them to his people, or to the honoring of battles fought by Kiowa warriors during their migration from the northern plains to what is now Oklahoma, both oral history and flesh make it clear this is a warrior dance.
Elements of the gourd dance were originally part of the sun dance, which was banned by the federal government in the late 19th century. Fast-forward to Armistice Day 1946: The gourd dance was revived for the first time in 20 years, at a ceremony honoring Indian veterans in Carnegie, Oklahoma. This prompted another revival in 1955 at the American Indian Exposition in Anadarko, Oklahoma. “The sound and sight of this ceremony that had been repressed moved many of the elders to tears,” said Dennis Zotigh, a Kiowa Gourd Clan member whose great-grandfather, Harry Hall Zotigh, was one of the revivers of the dance. Thus, the Kiowa Gourd Clan was born.
Today, the preeminent gourd dance, according to Kiowa Gourd Clan member Tom Spotted Horse—is a three-day affair held around July 4 every year in Carnegie. The date was chosen not because of Independence Day but because it’s the same hot time of year when the sun dance would have taken place. “It’s kind of beautiful to have this dance arbor, knowing that the Saturday prior to the dance, there’s a work day for all the gourd clan members to erect it,” Zotigh said. “It’s a unique community event, kind of a renewal.”
Chances are that if you’ve seen a gourd dance, it isn’t the Tdiepeigah. Loosely interpreting its warrior origins, the gourd dance has taken on a second life as a veterans’ dance at or before pow wows. “That’s part of the evolution of the dance, to ensure it doesn’t remain static,” Zotigh said. “This interpretation was changed by those who are not Kiowa.” Yet cultural preservation of the Kiowa gourd dance remains essential: When invited to join the Kiowa Gourd Clan, elders give inductees strict guidelines. Regalia is simple—black shawl, leggings, red and blue blankets and moccasins—but more important than proper regalia is respectful attire. “Sunday best” is common: long-sleeve dress shirts, beaded bolo ties, and fine footwear.