Penn State Public Media - As Long As We Dance: The New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow

Regalia

The clothing worn by the dancers in the arena is called regalia. It is not a “costume” and it is impolite to refer to dance regalia as a “costume.” A costume is something one puts on when pretending to be someone or something else. American Indian powwow dancers are not pretending, they are practicing their culture, honoring their past traditions and carrying them forward into the future. Each dancer’s regalia is determined by a combination of dance style, tribal tradition, and individual creativity.