A Powwow is where natives get together to dance, socialize, gamble and just sort of celebrate beeing indigenous. Usally there are food stands and booths where all kinds of goods and arts are sold. Each Powwow has its own reason for taking place, be it a historial event, observance, or even just to celebrate modern holidays, like veteran`s day ect. . There are different styles of dances for both men and women, usally in categories divided by age groups. There are dance specials, honorings, give-aways, singing contests, and traditional games.
The bigger Powwows are held annually and typically on the reservations where people can camp in tents, Recreational Vehicles, and yes, tipi`s. Each style of dance has its own type of regalia. There are origin stories and mythologies for each style of dance and the most comman uniform aspects of the regalia. However each regalia is unique to that dancer and is very time consuming to put together piece by piece, over a lifetime. Stories can be told, crushes can be snagged, culture can be found, memories can be make.
The stickgame is popular where I grew up in Spokane, Washington. You could hear them singing all night long. The native girls, in their regalia, always seemed to be in a league of their own, and still do. Some Powwows like the Denver March Powwow are held in magor cities. Annual Powwows will crown a princess each year for the year, like Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations Powwow. Lovers will particularly enjoy the handdrum contest and Owl Dances.
To me, a Powwow is where I love to dance and strut ma stuff, eat indian tacos, and feel indescribable feeling I only experience when I´m in the circle, dancing to the heart beat of the Earth.
Pidamiya Yelo- The EditorNChief
