DCHP-1 Online
war dance Hist. 
a dance performed before a raid or battle; also, a dance simulating a battle.
- 1751 (1852) Accordingly, the poor Esqowenow declares the war-dance in the year 1748, and away they go with great alacrity, and succeeded, and brought seven alive and thirteen scalps in great tryumph.
- 1869 A feature in the amusements of the day was the "war dance" of the Indians in full costume.
- 1935 War Dance: a number of men decked themselves in fighting array and with their bows and arrows, clubs and knives staged a mimic battle.
- 1966 "White men call this our War Dance. It is not a War Dance. It is not intended to rouse hate against anybody. It is for the warriors of our past. It is a farewell to warriors before battle, and a welcome for warriors after battle."
- 1751 (1852) Accordingly, the poor Esqowenow declares the war-dance in the year 1748, and away they go with great alacrity, and succeeded, and brought seven alive and thirteen scalps in great tryumph.