The Kiowa Sun Dance is a traditional ceremony which is held annually in the summer. The purpose of the Sun Dance is to give thanks to the Creator, seek blessings and guidance for the coming year, and to renew the spiritual strength ofthe community. During the Sun Dance, participants engage in a number of rituals and ceremonies, including fasting, singing, and dancing. The central ritual of the Sun Dance is the dance itself, in which participants, often wearing traditional clothing and headdresses, dance in a circular pattern around a central pole. The dancing can last for several days and is accompanied by singing and drumming. One of the most important aspects of the Kiowa Sun Dance is the offering of sacrifices. Participants may offer gifts to the Creator, such as food, tobacco, or other items, as well as personal sacrifices, such as fasting or self-inflicted pain. Self- inflicted sacrifice during the dance typically takes the form of piercing the skin with skewers or hooks, which are then attached to a rope and lead to a central pole. The participant then dance for several hours, pulling against the skewers and experiencing intense pain as a means of showing devotion to the spirits and asking for their blessings. These sacrifices are believed to bring good fortune to the community.