Wovoka

Era: 19^th Century

Importance: Mystic

Module: American West

Wovoka

Wovoka was a Mystic from the Paiute tribe who started and spread the Ghost dance movement. He said that if the Indians took part then the Ghost Dance would cause the Whites to be eaten up by the earth and in return the earth would give up the dead Indians and buffalo.

The Movement spread rapidly across the increasingly desperate Indian Reservations in 1890.

The Ghost Dance ended in December 1890 with the defeat at the Battle of Wounded Knee.

The movement was a final desperate bid by the Indians to preserve their culture and their way of life.