Why the Rain Dance Brings Rain

Parts of the Southwestern United States are very dry, very arid regions. In the past, the Native American tribes that lived there needed the rain to survive. When the rain didn’t come, the Native American tribes would do what is called rainmaking or, a rain dance.

The Native Americans participating in the rain dance would dress up in special headdresses and jewelry. And even though most dances excluded women, the women also danced. Rain was important.

A Native American rain dance is unlike other dances. It’s more complicated. It’s not just a circle; it’s a pattern woven over and over again. And the dances could go on for hours. Sometimes they could go on for days.

But what you may not know about the Native American Rain Dance is that it always worked. Eventually, the rain came. The reason the Native American rain dance always worked is because the Native Americans didn’t stop dancing until it rained. They persisted.