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POW WOW
AND ITS MEANING |
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Since I found these articles,
the web pages have disappeared. I can only give credit to the source
that I have at the bottom of the article. I am including them in
their entirety, although they duplicate each other some what. Some
of this is tribe specific, but in general, you can not go wrong by
following these guidelines. If you have doubts about what to do---ASK!~~
Spotted Wolf |
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THE POWWOW AND ITS MEANING
A Powwow, Wacipi in the Dakota Language, was originally a spring
event to celebrate the seasonal renewal of new life. People would
congregate to sing, dance, renew old friendships and form new ones.
Powwows had religious significance as opportunities to hold a
naming, now usually conducted in the privacy of a family gathering,
and honoring ceremonies. In the Dakota/Lakota tradition, the
celebration was also a prayer to Wakantanka ( the Great Spirit,
Grandfather or Great Mystery) . The term "powwow" is traced to the
Algonquin language.
Powwows are still very much a part of the lives of many Native
Americans around the state and country and are held every weekend,
often at several locations during peak periods, from June until
September. Many families "go on the circuit', camp out and enjoy the
traditional activities. Competitive singing and dancing, relatively
recent changes, are often featured.
The circle, an important symbol to Native American people, is used
extensively in powwows. The dancers are in the center, the drums and
the audience circle around them and the concessions surround the
gathering. The powwow brings the circle of people closer to family,
friends and the comfort and vitality of their culture.
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THE GRAND ENTRY
The Grand Entry is the parade of dancers which opens each session of
powwow dancing. The Eagle Staff is carried into the circle, followed
by the American, Canadian, state and tribal flags. Title holders
from tribal pageants and invited dignitaries are next. The men
follow, traditional dancers first, grass dancers, fancy shawl
dancers and jingle dress dancers. Junior boys, then junior girls
follow in the same order. Last come the little boys and the little
girls.
The dancers perform clockwise or sun-wise around the arbor. Their
outfits (the term "costume" is seen by some as derogatory) and their
steps let the audience and other participants know who they are and
what they can do.
After the grand entry there is a flag song, then an invocation
blessing the gathering. The Eagle Staff, positioned above the
American flag to signify the first nation, is tied to the pole in
the center or brought to the announcer's stand. The dancing then
begins.
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TYPES OF SONGS
Songs are created and performed for different events such as grand
entries, dance categories and honoring ceremonies. While they differ
in tempo, words and emotions, all powwow songs follow a similar
structure.
There are songs for all occasions: honor songs, veteran songs and
war party songs. Many pre-reservation songs have been put aside in
favor of a flood of new ones. Song groups sing only their own songs
while others borrow songs and perform their own as well. The songs
are not written, but tape recorded, and then they are learned by
both singers and dancers. Singers are not judged by the sweetness of
their voices. In the northern plains the higher parts are sung
falsetto and the melody gains energy and rhythm as the voice
descends. The sound is produced at the back of an open mouth and
throat . The volume and quality of voice depend largely on
well-developed abdominal muscles.
Women sing an octave higher and sometimes join the men. Women may
"trill" at special places in the song to indicate deep emotion such
as joy or appreciation of the song. |
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THE DRUM
Some drums are handed down in the family, while others are donated
to a group. Older drums are made of deer, elk, horse or buffalo
hides, but contemporary bass drums can be purchased, renovated and
even blessed.
The drum is more than a musical instrument to those who own and play
it. It has a life of its own. Some drum groups have ceremonies to
have their drums blessed and named. The drum is regarded as having
its own powerful spirit. Gifts are made to it and some have their
own sacred medicine pipes. In some traditions the drum symbolizes
the heartbeat; in others, the powerful medicine of thunder. The term
"drum" also refers to the drum group itself.
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MEN'S TRADITIONAL DANCE
The men's traditional dance began when war parties would return to
the village and "dance out" the story of a battle and when hunters
would dance their story of tracking prey.
The outfit is subdued in color. Often decorated with bead and quill
work, the circular bustle of eagle feather spikes represents cycles
and unity. The spikes point upward, representing a channel between
the Great Spirit and all things on the earth. The dancers are often
veterans and carry items which symbolize their status as
warriors--shields, weapons, honor staffs and medicine wheels.
Movements imitate the life journey of birds and animals.
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MEN'S GRASS DANCE
The popular grass or Omaha dance originated with the Omaha Tribe,
probably in the 1860's. Outfits feature colorful fringes which
replace the grasses originally tucked into belts. Many dancers wear
the hair roach, the crow-belt and the eagle bone whistle, originally
emblems of the Omaha society.
Dancers keep their heads moving either up and down with the beat of
the drum, nodding quickly several times to each beat, or moving from
side to side. This keeps the roach crest feathers spinning, a sign
of a good dancer. |
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MEN'S FANCY DANCE
The fancy dance is relatively new. The use of brilliantly colored
feather bustles is thought to have started in Oklahoma in the early
1900's when promoters asked dancers to beautify their outfits.
Contests with cash prizes began and outfits became more colorful.
The fancy dance is performed mostly by boys and young men. Based on
the standard "double step" of the traditional and grass dances, it
deviates with fancy footwork, increased speed, acrobatic steps and
motions and varied body movements. It is freestyle. Dancers must
follow the changing beat of the drum and stop when the music does
with both feet on the ground.
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WOMEN'S FANCY
DANCE
The women's fancy shawl dance outfit consists of a decorative
knee-length cloth dress, beaded moccasins with matching leggings,
fancy shawl and jewelry. The style, similar to the men's, is moving
toward more movement, especially spinning. Footwork is the chief
element. |
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JINGLE DRESS DANCE
The jingle dress dance came from Mille Lacs, Minnesota, according to
one account. In a holy man's dream, four women appeared wearing
jingle dresses. They showed him how to make them, what types of
songs went with them and how the dance was performed. The jingle
dress spread throughout Chippewa/Ojibway territories, to the Dakota
and Lakota in the 1920's and west to Montana. Women from many tribes
now make and wear these dresses, which are covered with hundreds of
metal cones or jingles. |
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INTERTRIBAL DANCE
Everyone, including tourists, is welcome to an intertribal dance. No
regalia is needed; it is not so much a particular kind of dance as
it is a chance for everyone to dance. |
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A DROPPED EAGLE FEATHER
(Spectators stand with heads uncovered. No picture taking is
permitted.)
To Dakota and most Native Americans, the eagle feather is sacred.
When one falls from a dancer's outfit, the powwow stops and a
ceremony is performed to restore the feather's lost power for good.
Four traditional dancers, usually veterans, dance around the feather
from four directions and usually attack four times to retrieve it.
While traditions differ among tribes, four is a sacred number for
all tribes. |
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HONOR SONGS
(Spectators stand with head uncovered.)
Honor songs are requested to honor a person such as a returning son
or a deceased relative or people or for almost any occasion. Some
people have their own honor songs while others use "generic" ones. A
drum from the honored person's home or a favorite may be requested. |
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HONORING VETERANS
Veterans are well-honored in the tribes of this state. They are
flag-bearers and retrieve dropped eagle feathers.
This respect for veterans is an integral part of Native American
culture from the time when the welfare of the village depended on
the quantity and quality of the fighting men. To be a warrior was a
man's purpose in life. Veterans were honored because they were
willing to give their lives so people could live. Today's veterans
are accorded the same honor and respect. In some tribes bravery is
honored as one of the four virtues: generosity, wisdom, fortitude
and bravery.
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THE GIVE-AWAY
The give-away is thought to be universal among Native American
people. Unlike societies where one expects gifts for
accomplishments, the Native American society holds that a person
being honored should provide gifts. It is said that the chief was
the poorest man in the village. Charged with the welfare of his
people, honored by them, the chief gave away blankets, horses, food
and whatever else the people might need. Today, giveaways by people
being honored or in honor of someone else are common at powwows. |
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Native American Students' Association of Northern State University,
Aberdeen, SD, for the use of their POWWOW VIEWER'S GUIDE; the United
Tribes Technical College, Bismarck, ND; The Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux
Tribe Powwow Committee, Sisseton, SO; and the South Dakota State
University Program Council Brookings, SD, for the use of scripts and
information in preparing this brochure for the Presentation Sisters,
Aberdeen, SD. |
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POWWOW DANCER
Leonard Paul
http://www.danielnpaul.com/LeonardPaul.html
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Below are
Links
to the Powwow Information Pages
[ Powwow Information Contents
Page ] [ What is Powwow ]
[ The Powwow and Its Meaning ] [
Rules of Decorum-Powwow Behavior ]
[ Powwow Etiquette for All Dancers ]
[
Pow Wow Drum-J.R.
Leõn ]
[
Powwows-Spirit Hawk ^I^ ] [
Pow wow Pictures ] [Powwow
Trail-Pg 1 ]
[ Powwow Trail-pg 2 ] [
Powwow Calendar and Links 2010 ]
[
Powwow Calendar and Links 2009 ]
[ Powwow Calendar and Links 2008 ]
[
Powwow Calendar and Links 2007 ]
[ Pow wow Calendar and Links 2006 ]
[
Pow wow Calendar and Links 2005 ]
[ Native American Events Calendar 2005 ]
[ Spirit Walk 2003 ]
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Created January 6, 2007 |
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