What is a Powwow

What is a Powwow?

Originally a powwow, or celebration, as it was called first, was held in the spring to celebrate the new beginning of life. It was a time for people to get together, sing, dance, renew old friendships and make new ones. Some trace the word “powwow” to the Algonquin language and say non-Native Americans used it to mean a “council or meeting.”

Today, powwows or celebrations are still very much a part of the lives of many Native Americans. The powwow season can begin as early as March. From June to September, several celebrations take place somewhere--every weekend! Many families pack up and “go on the circuit,” camping out and enjoying the traditional celebration activities: singing, dancing, and seeing friends they many not have seen since recently. Competitive singing and dancing for prize money is a fairly recent change in the traditional powwow. Prize money is awarded to top point-getters at the culmination of the powwow.

The circle is an important symbol to Native American people. The dancers are in the center of the circle, the drums and the audience form a circle around them. The powwow brings the circle of the people together--closer to their family, friends, and their Native American culture.

The Intertribal Dance

Everyone is welcome to dance an intertribal dance--even tourists! It's not as much of a particular dance as it is a chance for everyone to dance. It is a non-contest dance. Intertribal dances move around the dance area sun-wise--clockwise--and everyone is welcome to take part. You don't even need to be in regalia, you dance in your street clothes. The basic step is the same one used by traditional dancers: the ball of one foot is tapped on one beat and place down flatly with the next, repeating the action on the opposite foot without missing a beat. Everybody dances!

Round Dance

This dance is held at the beginning of a powwow. It is a social dance and all are invited to participate. The men dance around the drum and the women dance around the men on the outer fringe of the dance arena. The dancers move clockwise in the dance arena around the drum in a side to side step.

**RULES FOR SPECTATORS**

1. Enjoy yourself as you watch the dancers.
2. Do not touch the dancers and their outfits. Not only are the feathers fragile, they are sacred.
3. Do come to the dance floor if you are invited to dance during an intertribal and when it is proper.
4. If you want to shoot photographs and video tape, or close-ups, please ask permission from that person.
5. Don't shoot pictures during competition and when told not to. Occasionally, there are special or sacred moments when photography is not allowed.
6. Do not smoke in the arena. There are designated areas for smoking. No alcohol or drug use is allowed or tolerated.
7. Do be respectful of the Native American traditions and stand when asked to do so by the announcer.
8. From time to time, you will notice that there is a call for a special “blanket dance.” This is a powwow tradition in which the audience shows its appreciation for the hosts and drums.

Men's Grass Dance

At least three tribes dance their version, with each of them having different ideas as to the origin of the dance. To one tribe, it is a simple expression of the gentle swaying movement of grass on a windy day. Another tribe remembers dancing for the purpose of flattening the long prairie grass to prepare the ground for a larger tribal ceremony. To others, it originated to celebrate victory over an enemy. The abundance of fringes and ribbons on the regalia enhances the graceful moves of the dancers bodies as they sway in the imaginary breeze. The Grass Dance is one of the oldest expressions of a traditional culture.

Men's Northern Traditional Dance

The Traditional Dance may be the original dance of the Native Americans of the Northern Plains. Its origin is lost in antiquity, but its style allows for much individual expression on the part of the dancer. There is a close similarity of story line to the Southern Straight Dance--that of a war party recounting its feats for the tribe. The interest is heightened by the use of a long “coup stick” and the motion of the feather bustles. The much slower tempo allows the dancer to convey his emotions in a singular fashion. He always faces his enemy, never turning a complete circle. Faces are painted in a design to intimidate the imaginary opponent with the fierceness of the brave. The dancer will mimic each element which makes up his regalia.

Men's Fancy Dance

The Fancy Dance is a relatively new dance. The brilliantly colored feather bustles are said to have originated in Oklahoma in the early 1900's when promoters of large Native American ceremonials asked dancers to beautify their regalia for the spectators. Also at that time, the dance contest for cash prizes was introduced and contestants began making their regalia more colorful as a result. The Fancy Dance--danced mostly by boys and young men--is based on the standard “double step” of the Traditional and Grass dancers, but it takes off from there with fancy footwork, increased speed, acrobatic steps and motions, and varied body movements. The fancy dance is also a freestyle kind of dance. Dancers do whatever they can to keep up with the music! They, too, must follow the changing beat of the drum, stop when the music does, and have both feet on the ground.

Men's Southern Straight Dance

This dance is a “Gentleman's dance,” which tells a definite story of a hunting or war party on the trail of an animal or an enemy. The dancer is constantly searching for his prey. There is an exuberant “whoop” when the trail is sighted, and the warrior begins to follow the signs of his prey. The dress will vary from tribe to tribe, which will include a porcupine headdress, ribbonwork, and an otter tail extending down the back of the dancer.

Ladies' Southern Cloth Dance

This is also a dance of elegance, rather than one of motion. The dance is a slow and graceful walk with a gentle sway in exact time to the music. The shawl is folded over the arm and is harmony with the motion of the body to the drumbeat. The dancer's dress may vary according to tribe and expression of the individual. The intricate ribbon and beadwork designs are decorated to add to the regalia, which is often complimented by a long necklace made of tubular beads. The cloth leggings and moccasins are beaded in symbolic designs.

Ladies' Traditional Buckskin Dance

Once for princesses and ladies in leadership roles, the Ladies' Traditional Buckskin Dance now is open to all ladies. The northern dancer usually stays in one area, lightly bouncing to the beat of the drum, displaying dignity and grace, while the southern style is slower but still as elegant. During the song, the dancer salutes the drum with her fan in a beautiful expression-- “the catching of the spirit of the drum.”

Ladies' Fancy Shawl Dance

This dance is the most modern of the ladies' dances. Though the Fancy Shawl involves more motion and agility than most women's dances, the grace of the woman is always expressed. Their dresses are brilliantly colored and often adorned with beautifully designed beadwork. The shawl is an integral part of the dance. She will graceful move with her shawl to the beat of the drum. The dancer has at times been compared to a butterfly floating across the prairie.

Ladies' Jingle Dress Dance

This dance originated among the tribes of Canada and is relatively new to the Southern Plains. This dance is very old and has a spiritual meaning. It has been said that it was given to a lady who was to dance to heal a sick relative. It was a dance of pride and dignity with much expression of individuality. The Jingle Dress has long tubular cones hanging from a fring-line decoration which “jingles” as the dancer moves.

Gourd Dance

This is a ceremonial dance done only by members of certain warrior societies or clans. Songs are always sung in sets of four and the group participates in each song four times. Women who are auxiliary members dance behind the men in an outer circle. While the public is welcome to observe these dances, absolutely no photos or recordings of any can are to be made.

What is a Give Away?

The give away is said to be universal among Native American people. Unlike other societies where one is likely to say, “Look what I did” and expect to receive gifts, in Native American society the person being honored has a give away and gives gifts. It has been said that the chief of the tribe is always the poorest man in the village for he looked out for the good of all of his people. Charged with their welfare, and honored by them, the chief gave away blankets, horses, food, and whatever else his people needed. Today, give aways, either by people being honored or in honor of someone else, are common at powwows.