The Native American Pow Wow

Originally powwows meant medicine men. Later it came to mean a special gathering place (like river or hills, etc.) where Native Americans would celebrate, establish alliances, and hold healing rituals. Today Powwows are a time to renew ties with family and friends and to celebrate.

A powwow begins with a prayer from the host tribe's medicine man. The powwow can last hours or several days. It consists of dancing, drumming and chants, which in many cases are prayers to the spirit world.

There is a great deal of information and terms that would be helpful to know before you go to your first powwow. To truly start to understand the regalia you are seeing, the dance steps and the music, as well as the sacredness of the powwow, a little time and effort on your part researching would enhance your enjoyment of what you are going to be witnessing.

Below are a few terms. In your research you will find many more terms and definitions. I have selected just a few.

• Breast Plates - are thin hollowed out bones in assorted sizes that are strung together in rows. The breast plate is hung around the neck and were used for protection. Today they are part of some dance styles.
• Bustles (Fancy or Traditional) - are feather arrangements worn on the body. Originally they were worn by a few honored dancers. Fancy dancers use turkey, hawk or Eagle feathers to make the twin bustle they wear. Traditional dancers use Eagle feathers. All tail feathers are the most sought after. But, a mixture of tail and wing feathers or all wings are also very striking.
• Clackers - are sets of deer toes sewn into bands of leather. These are worn around the ankels. They make a nice rattling sound and can be used in place of bells.

A few personal memories...

I went to my first powwow when I was about 7 years old. I was so excited that I could not wait to get to the powwow. But my father had a few ideas of his own as to what needed to be done before we could attend. (It was a whole neighborhood trip.)

Dad took us to the library and with the help of the librarian we checked out books on the life style and culture of the Native American. (Back then we were still saying Indian.)

Each one of us learned something that we shared with the other one. It helped the week go by before our first powwow. But more than that we felt challenged by the knowledge the other ones had learned. It became "I want to tell you what I know" type of week.

Then the night before the powwow my Father came home from work and said he wanted to see all of us after dinner on the front porch. Now, we were expecting to get information on the time we were going and how long we were going to stay and if we were going to need money.

But my Father had a different idea for that front porch meeting. We were told "in no uncertain terms" that this was a sacred ceremony we were attending. He expected us to behave as if we were in our own church. This outdoor ceremony was just that sacred. Since in church we were expected to enter quietly and sit in the pew and listen and learn, that is exactly what he expected from us. We better not get up and run around or talk or be noisy. We were to find our seats and wait patiently. He also added that anyone who didn't show the proper respect would be taken out of the area and their parents would be called to come get them.

I was sure I knew what it was going to be like but I was so very wrong. Dad didn't really have to tell us to sit and be quiet though. We were so awstruck by the entire event we witnessed that none of us even got "the look" from Dad.

We were allowed to go over and ask questions of a wonderful man who took time for us. I am sure we said the wrong things. But it was out of lack of knowledge not out of lack of respect.

I bought my first ring there at one of the tables. I still have it to this day tucked away with fond memories. This started my love of this culture and the ways of the Native American people. They were kind enough to a group of children and took the time for them and treated them with the respect of a child wanting to learn more.

It has been a life long learning experience that has given me much joy. Yet, I know so little in the big picture of the Native American. There is always more to know and understand. Along the way I have met some very kind and loving people who still take the time for that "little girl" in me who wants to know more. They have enriched my life. I pray that I have in some small way done the same for them. I am honored to call them friends.

Blessings,
Thelma

Just a few comments on the etiquitte of attending a powwow

• Check before hand to make sure pictures or videos can be taken.
• ALWAYS ask permission before taking someone's picture outside the dance arena
• Stand for the Grand Entry
• The dances area is sacred. DO NOT enter unless asked to do so.
• The benches are for the dancers. Many times they are covered with blankets. They are not for anyone else to use.
• Remember what you are a part of by witnessing the powwow and be respectful.
• NEVER call it a costume - it is regalia or an outfit
  NEVER call it a hat - it is a headress
  NEVER copy a pattern of the dancers regalia. Many of these are family patterns which hold spiritual meaning.