The central feature of the costume, worn above buckskin leggings, was the GHOST SHIRT. It wasa sack-like garment of cotten cloth or muslin ornamented, like the face, with painted circles, cresents and crosses, and with designs symbolizing the eagle, magpie, crow, sage hen, and other birds and animals having special signifigance in Sioux mythology. Many were fringed and adorned with feathers. The medicine man preached that the Ghost Shirt made it's wearer invulnerable to riffle bullets. If soldiers fired at an Indian so protected, the bullets would fall marmlessly to the ground.

The dance began about noon. Dancers of all ages and both sexes sat in a large circle facing the center of the dance ring. The dance leader, flanked by assistants, took a station at the foot of the prayer tree and gave detailed instructions. Then raising his arms to heaven, he prayed, "Great Wakan Tanka; We are ready to bebegin the dance as you commanded us. Our hearts are now good. We do all you ask, and in return we beg you give us back our hunting grounds and our game. Oh, transport such of the dancers as are really in earnest to the Spirit Land far away and let them there see their dead relatives. Show them what good things you have prepared for us and return the visitors safely to earth again. Hear us we implore."

____Brooke Medicine Eagle

from The Last Ghost Dance