Pow! Wow!

"Pow Wows are the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones. This is a time method to renew Native American culture and preserve the rich heritage of American Indians."

Have you ever been to a Pow Wow? Experience a unique gathering of the cultural nature, where Native Americans cermonialize their heritage, through dance, the clothing they have made, the storytelling, and their arts? Getting together keeps their customs intact and provides like fellowship. Most importantly, it is a deeply spiritual thing.

The drum is the heartbeat of the tribe. It is used to bring balance and renewal to the people. Sometimes they gather around the drum, singing Native songs to the beat of the drum, their voices carrying throughout the area. These songs and their playing have been passed down through many generations of Native Americans and are a reminder of their rich heritage. I close my eyes at the memory, fully aware of its hypnotic power over me.

The string of feathers attached to a backboard is called a bustle and it is a traditional part of a man's regalia worn while he is at a pow wow or an Exhibition. I was awed by their beauty. The feathers are usually hawk or eagle feathers.

The drum is not just a musical instrument. To many people, it holds great cultural and symbolic power. They believe the drum has a life of its own, as well as its own powerful spirit. The drum is the heartbeat of the Indian Nation. It carries the heartbeat of Mother Earth and calls the spirits and nations together.

The Native Americans used animal pelts to decorate their clothes. The skunk, seen here, was used as a lesson because although a skunk does not threaten your life, it wreaks havoc with your senses. Source: Lakota Museum Cultural Center

Look at the beadwork on her belt. Every bead, handsewn. So precise their work is.

Once upon a time, the Native American beadwork was done with shells, bone, and stone, along with quills, some were even used for money. Then the Europeans landed and changed the way beadwork was done, and the introduction of more functional tools.

Even today, as modern as many have become, the beadwork patterns continue to be an important part of keeping their culture intact with the native decorative artwork.

Never too young to learn the culture and its ways.

The jingle dress dance. Each dancer must sew rows of metal cones, so they dangle from the dresses and rattle and clink as they move. In the traditional dance, they could never dance backward, or even complete a circle when dancing. They were not allowed to cross their feet either. I love the jingle of the dress. How many cones do you think is in a typical jingle dress? I know they aren't allowed to look at their feet! The elders were calling out, "Look up Sienna! Don't look at your feet!"

The beads will be used for jewelry, worn by men and women alike... and the dream catchers and all of the other crafts of artistic endeavors have been hand made. These small acts keep the traditions alive.

The headdress is a well-known symbol of strength and bravery. I had never seen one so long. Ever.

And just like that, this post is over. Pow Wows are a wonderful experience and a piece of cultural learning. I have been to a few different ones and I can honestly say that they leave me with a deep spiritual feeling. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit.

If you ever get the opportunity to go to a Pow Wow, I kindly remind you to respect their ways. Although most are public events, they are culturally significant events to the Native Americans. Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!

Most are not participating right now and they hope to be back, dancing and singing the circle again!