Hoop Dancer Barbie

I visited the Victoria Island attraction, Aboriginal Experiences, with a school group.  The best part of a very interesting afternoon was the performance by a very accomplished hoop dancer. This is not the hula hoop of the 50's craze or the wooden hoop you may have used in gym class.  This is not the hoop and stick small children used to play with either.

Modern hoop dancers use willow hoops to represent aspects of nature such as animals, birds, the sun and the moon.  Tony White Cloud, the father of modern hoop dancing, used 5 hoops but at the annual competition in Phoenix, Arizona dancers use 24 or possibly more.

This dance is not often seen at traditional powwows but is saved for events attended by non-natives.  Le Cirque de Soleil show Totem features it.  Barbie's outfit is more Cirque than traditional native dress and her hoops are metal not willow but you should see her dance with them!