Native American Hoop Dance was, and is a form of storytelling dance incorporating anywhere from one to 30 hoops as props . These props are used to create both static and dynamic shapes, or formations, representing various animals, symbols, and storytelling elements. The dance is generally performed by a solo dancer with many hoops.
Before it was known and recognized as the common colourful plastic toy (sometimes with water inside the actual hoop), it used to be made of dried up willow, rattan, grapevines, or stiff grasses. Even though the has existed for thousands of years, it is often misunderstood as being invented in the 1950s.[2]
According to author Charles Panati, there was a 'craze' of using wooden and metal hoops in 14th century England. He reports that doctors treated patients suffering from pain and dislocated backs due to hooping - and heart failure was even attributed to it.[3] Panati also says that the name 'hula' came from the Hawaiian dance in the 18th century, due to the similar hip movements