Most people have heard the phrase - jumping through hoops - to do a complicated or annoying series of things in order to get or achieve something. Too often those in control - make tasks more complicated than needed - as a means to delaying completion - a senseless way to mistreat another person - lording ones power over another. This is not the way anyone should treat another. Then again - an entirely different meaning among the native Americans who belong to many of the indigenous tribes. Dancing through hoops - Hoop Dancing - an art passed down through the ages - an art form that tells a story - takes extreme skill. The art of hoop dance honors cultural traditions shared by multiple Indigenous communities - with roots in healing ceremonies - traditions - practices. Today hoop dance is shared as an artistic expression to celebrate - honor Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada. This past weekend we had the opportunity to attend the Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. The ages varied from youth as young as six years up through seniors forty and over. Both boys - girls - men - women compete on an equal basis. Hoop Dancing is a high energy event - dancers literally jumping through hoops - forming various shapes with the hoops - all in timed competition. For competitors - spectators - serious - fun - family event.
