PowWows

 

A Pow Wow is a gathering of native people to dance and sing and visit with new and old friends and helps to preserve the heritage of American Indians. There are many stories about how the Pow Wow originated. Some believe that when natives were forced onto reservations the government made them have public dances. Others believe that Pow Wows were originated by the war dance societies of the Southern Plains tribes. There are often dancing and drum group competitions with prize money awarded to the winners in each group. See below for information about dance dance styles and the importance of singing and drum groups as discribed on PowWows.com below:

 

Dance Styles

 

Men’s Fancy

The Oklahoma Feather Dance or “Fancy Dance” is one of the most popular styles of Native American dance and outfits seen at modern pow wows. The Fancy Dance outfit, as such, has no single Native American tribes. The “Fancy Dance” originated as Fancy War Dance by the Hethuska Society in Oklahoma. The individual who invented the dance was Gus McDonald. He was also the first World Champion Fancy War Dancer. The McDonald family, specifically Julep Farmer McDonald, the Ponca Tribal Matriarch still presents the trophy to the Fancy War Dance Champion each year because of this family honor.

 

Men’s Grass

Originally done as a Warrior Society Dance, it has evolved over the years. It has further evolved into a highly-competitive form of northern dancing. Grass Dancers always stand out by virtue of two things: his dancing style and his outfit. His dancing has been described often by these words:” gutsy, swinging, slick, old-time,” etc. His outfit stands out by virtue of the almost complete absence of feathers, for aside from the roach feather, there are no bustles of any kind to be seen. The outfit consists of shirt and pants, with beaded or otherwise decorated belt and side tabs, armbands, cuffs, and front and back apron, with matched headband and moccasins, if available. Ribbons and fringe are the only mobile parts of his outfit, other than the roach feather. In other words, the outfit is made to conform to the style of dancing.

 

Men’s Northern Traditional
The Northern Traditional Dancer is a modern evolution of tribal outfits from the tribes of the Northern Plains such as Sioux, Blackfoot, Crow, Omaha and others. The movement in this style is one that is sometimes characterized as similar to a prairie chicken. The dancer is also said to be re-enacting the movement of a warrior searching for the enemy.

 

Women’s Fancy Shawl

Ladies Fancy Shawl is the newest form of Native American Women’s Dance, and is quite athletic! Fancy Shawl is often called Northern Shawl, as it does come from the Northern Tribes along the U.S. and Canadian Border. This is very similar in dancing and the bright colors to the Men’s Fancy Dance. The ladies wear their shawls over their shoulders, and dance by jumping and spinning around, keeping time with the music. They mimic butterflies in flight, and the dance style is quite graceful and light..

 

Women’s Buckskin

One of the oldest form of Native American Women’s Dance is Buckskin. This is a dance of elegance and grace. The movement is smooth and flowing. The ladies wear fine, hand-crafted buckskin dresses, decorated with intricate bead designs. Northern dresses are fully beaded on the shoulders, or cape. Southern ones, the beadwork is mainly used to accent. They are equally beautiful. The women carry fringed shawls over one arm.

 

Women’s Jingle

Jingle Dress is also called a Prayer Dress. There are differences in the origins of the dress among the tribes. The dress was seen in a dream, as an object to bring healing to afflicted people. It comes from the Northern Tribe Ojibewea or Chippewa, along the Canadian border. Jingle Dresses are decorated with rolled up snuff can lids that are hung with ribbon. The ribbon is then sewed to the dress, the jingles are placed close enough so they can hit together, causing a beautiful sound. If one were to close their eyes as the Jingle dancer passes, it would sound as though it were raining!

 

Drum Groups

 

Drum groups provide the music for dancing among many other activities. The group is usually made of at least 4 members but may include more. Some members of the group may also dance. They use a special drum and sing, in most cases, traditional songs. There is generally a host drum group which is responsible for singing at the beginning and end of the ceremony and singing the grand entry, victory and honor songs. "One of the most important things in the life of a Native American is the Drum. Our whole culture centers around the Drum. Without the Drum and the singers around it, the Native Americans could not have pow wows. The Drum brings the heart beat of our Earth Mother to the pow wow for all to feel and hear. Drumming brings everyone back into balance. Whether dancing , singing, or just listening, people around the Drum can connect with spirit. It is no wonder the Drum should be treated with great respect."