May 17th
Seminole Green Corn Dance
The Green Corn Dance is the principle ceremony of the Florida Seminoles and provides them with a recreational diversion sion to celebrate the planting, ripening, and harvesting vesting of the corn. Although many of the customs of the Seminoles are of recent origin, the Green Corn Dance is a very old festival that is celebrated by the Cherokee, Natchez, and Creek Indians as well. One of the highlights of the festival is the Feather Dance, which is performed formed in the morning and immediately following lunch. Each participant of the dance holds a white egret feather attached to a long pole that is then held tight against the left shoulder. The dance is performed by the men only and pays homage to the four quarters of the ceremonial grounds where the festivities ties are being held. In addition to sacred dances, there are ball games, council meetings, the naming of youths that have come of age, and a feast of barbequed beef. The festival concludes with the drinking of a black beverage made from a creek holly shrub, which is believed to purge the body of all sin.
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