Manitou Cliff Dwellings

After Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs we made our way over to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. These were built by the Anasazi, at the foot of Pikes Peak. You’re free to go in, touch and explore, which we did.

And after exploring we were fortunate to be there at the right time to watch some Indian dances performed by three generations of Indians. We better hurry, they drums are sounding.

Don’t you love the bright colors?!

Father and son twirled and stomped for our pleasure.

Feet pounding to the drum beat.

I don’t remember what this dance was called but he explained that during the dance his shadow was supposed to resemble an eagle hunting. Very cool!

It was imperative that the children living on these cliffs be taught balance and coordination so they were given hoops to train with. Notice all the hoops are piled together at the beginning.

 

As the boy danced and spun, very quickly I might add, the hoops were in constant motion.

Over the arms and across the back, but he didn’t stop there.

He stomped and jumped until the hoops were around his legs. (Grandpa looks a little nervous in the background.)

He needed a break after he was done. Not sure why. But we were off and on the road again.