What ritual emerged in the late 19th century among Native American tribes that promised a return to traditional ways and the restoration of the buffalo?

The Ghost Dance ritual emerged in the late 19th century among various Native American tribes, particularly as a response to the tremendous upheaval and loss of life that Native peoples faced due to westward expansion and the accompanying policies of assimilation and displacement. The Ghost Dance was seen as a spiritual movement that promised to restore the traditional ways of life and bring back the buffalo, which had been decimated by overhunting and habitat loss.

This ritual emphasized a belief that through the dance, Native Americans could communicate with deceased ancestors and bring about a revitalization of their cultures, practices, and the natural environment that had been so crucial to their way of life. It became a powerful symbol of resistance and hope in the face of adversity during this tumultuous period in American history.

In contrast, while the Sun Dance and Vision Quest are also significant spiritual practices among Native American tribes, they do not specifically relate to the themes of resurrection of traditional culture or the buffalo restoration in the same context as the Ghost Dance. The Spirit Dance, though related in the broader scope of spiritual expression, is similarly less focused on the specific themes that characterized the Ghost Dance movement.