HILO INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW

What is a Powwow?

     The contemporary Powwow is a link to the past that helps maintain Native Heritage.  Seen by outsiders as entertainment due to the singing dancing and colorful regalia, the Powwow is a cultural legacy which should be treated with honor and respect.  It is a time for Indian families to be together with other family members and friends.  It is a time of sharing, of laughter and tears, and of caring.  It is a time when Native Americans reflect on their traditions.  It is a time to honor the past and celebrate the future.
     Native American families travel hundreds of miles to attend Powwows across the United States and Canada.  Time and distance are not relevant.  The renewal of traditions and reinforcement of the heritage is the important thing.  It is a time to strengthen the circle.
     The word “Powwow” comes the Algonquin word “Pau Wau” which was used to describe medicine men and spiritual leaders.  Early Europeans thought the word referred to the entire event.  As Indian tribes learned English, they accepted this definition.

What Happens?

     A typical Powwow starts on Friday Evening with a single Grand Entry and preliminary contest dancing as well as inter-tribal dancing.  Saturday has two Grand Entries, one in the after noon and one in the evening.  Sunday usually has a single Grand Entry in the afternoon after which the final competition are held for the contests.
Many of the larger summer Powwows have a “Camp Day” on the day prior to the beginning of the Powwow.  This is a day set aside for visiting, feasting, and for holding Memorials and Giveaways.
     The dance area, also called the Arbor, may be inside or out.   It is blessed before the Powwow begins and is considered to be sacred ground for the duration of the celebration.  There should be no drugs, alcohol, profanity, or boisterous behavior in this area.   It should be treated like the inside of a church.  The chairs at the front of the arbor are reserved for dancers, drummer, elders and their families.  Many people bring their own chairs and set them up outside the dance area.
     The Master of Ceremonies keeps the Powwow running smoothly.   He is the one who announces the contests, which drums are to sing, and explain what is taking place.  Spectators should listen to him to know what is happening, when not to photograph or record and when to stand.
The emcee’s task is not all serious business though and he weaves humor around his official announcements.
    The Arena Director is another important person at the Powwow.  It is his responsibility to make sure the dancers and singers have the amenities they need and to organize the Grand Entry.  It is also his job to supervise the dance area, assuring protocol is being maintained.

The Drum

     The Powwow drum is a large base covered with hide (buffalo, deer, or cow). Forming a circle, eight or more men strike the drum in unison with covered mallets. The men then blend their voices with the beating of the Drum to create the song. The songs are often in the Indian language of the drum members.
     The drum carries the heartbeat of the Indian nation. It is also felt to carry the heartbeat of Mother Earth, and thus calls the spirits and nations together.
     It is the responsibility of the drum members and especially the lead singer to be able to sing and play whatever kind of song is requested by the master of ceremonies or the arena director for any given event (i.e. flag raising, honoring ceremony, different kinds of dances).
     It is said that the drum was brought to the Indian people by a woman, and therefore there is a woman spirit that resides inside the drum. Appropriately, it is to be treated with respect and care, and strict behavior is expected of anyone coming in contact with the drum. 

The Songs

     The music in a Powwow comes primarily from the drum groups who circle the arena. The drum groups usually consist of several men, each with a covered mallet, circling a large drum covered with hide (buffalo, elk, cow, etc.). The men then blend their voices with the beating of the drum to create the song. The songs are varied and endless in number: some are traditional and passed down through history; others are contemporary and created to speak to current concerns and interests. Many songs are sung in the original Indian languages, a fact some believe will help keep the languages alive and vital to the growing youth.
     Each category of dance has a specific style of song and pace that is appropriate for the specific dance. The Drum group, particularly the lead singer, is responsible for having whatever style of song is required immediately available at the request of the Master of Ceremonies.

The Dances

     The original dances were held by members of elite warrior societies.  They were frequently called Grass Dances and were held for the benefit of tribal members.  There were a variety of names used by different tribes for these dances.  Among them are Omaha Dance used by the Sioux, Hot Dance used by the Crow, Dakota Dance used by the Cree and Wolf dance from the Shoshone and Arapaho.
     The Grass Dance gradually evolved into the Powwow. As Native Americans began to live on reservations, they had more time to devote to non-survival activities and dancing became increasingly important.
These celebrations were strictly social events until the 1920’s when “Contest” dancing became popular. Many local communities still hold social or traditional Powwow but the majority of them now involve contest dancing where dancers compete for prizes.
     Contests are judged by dance styles and age groups.  The dancers are judged on their regalia as well as their dancing ability.  Dancing out of beat, losing regalia, and failing to stop on the last drum beat can disqualify a dancer.
     The Head Dancers are selected by their reputation as dancers and by their knowledge of their traditions and customs.  They represent a particular style of dancing and serve as models to the rest of the dancers during the Powwow.  Being selected as a Head Dancers is an honor.  There are usually two, a man and a woman, but some of the larger Powwows also have a boy and a girl head dancer in addition to the adults.
     The Host Drum is invited to hold that position at a Powwow based on their reputation and knowledge.  They must be ready to fill in if there are any gaps in the drum order.  Some Powwows have only one host drum while others have both a Northern and Southern host Drum.
     The Grand Entry begins each session of dancing. It is a procession of dancers.
     The Flag bearers lead the procession carrying the Eagle Staff, American Flag, Canadian Flag, MIA-POW Flag and flags of each nation represented at the Powwow.  Being a Flag Bearer is an honor usually given to a veteran, a respected traditional dancer or a traditional elder. 
     The Head Dancers are next followed by dignitaries and organization princesses and then the rest of the dancers arranged by category and age.  After all the dancers are in the dance area, a flag song is sung to honor the Eagle staff and all the flags.  Then a respected person, usually an elder, offers a prayer.  This is followed by the victory song as the Eagle Staff and flags are placed in their standards.   After opening remarks the dancing begins. 

The Men's Dances

     Grass Dancers wear yokes, breech cloths and anklets covered with strand of brightly colored yarn.  On their heads they wear either a bandana or a porcupine roach.  The Grass Dance is noted for its fluid movements and sliding steps.
     The Traditional Northern Style dance represents a warrior scouting before a battle.
     Their regalia includes a single bustle usually of Eagle feathers, a porcupine roach with a single Eagle feather, ribbon shirts, bone hair pipe choker and breastplate, breech cloth, leggings, short angora anklets with sheep bells above them, beaded cuffs, belt, arm bands, and moccasins.
The dancer carries a staff and a fan usually made from the wing of an Eagle.
     Everyone should stand during this dance and men should remove their hats unless they have an Eagle feather in them out of respect to the dancers and the Eagle feathers they wear.
     The Straight or Southern Style Dancers is easily distinguished by the otter skin trailer decorated with mirrors, beadwork, or ribbon work which hangs down the back.  These dancers also wear long sleeved shirts, breech cloth, and leggings that are trimmed with ribbon work.
Bone hair pipe and bead bandoliers, finger-woven yarn garters and slide tabs, a choker of German silver or beads, a wide loom beaded belt and  a porcupine roach with a single Eagle Feather plus an Eagle feather fan complete this dancer’s regalia.
     One of the more modern dances in the PowWow, Men's Fancy dance is the most strenuous and athletic. To be good at this dance, the dancer must train for stamina and agility. The dance is fast and features jumps and twirling. The regalia is said to represent the rainbow spirits in its bright colors and flying feathers and ribbons. The Men's Fancy dancer typically wears two bustles of bright colored feathers with added ribbon, feather or horse hair hackles and bright arm and head bands repeating the colors and patterns. The dancer also wears a headdress roach trimmed in colored horsehair and featuring two eagle feathers. The roach is designed to keep the feathers either spinning or rocking in movement. It is part of the dance to keep the feathers moving constantly throughout the song. Dancers also carry coup sticks which are highly decorated with ribbons or feathers.

The Women's Dances

     There are two types of Women’s Traditional dresses; buckskin and cloth.  Buckskin Dresses are usually heavily beaded across the yoke and have long fringe on the sleeves and along the bottom.  This fringe represents a waterfall, continuously flowing, giving life, and persevering like an Indian Mother.  The cloth dresses are made from trade cloth or velvet and have elk teeth. Cowry shells, dentalium shells or coins are sewn in rows across the yoke.  Both styles of dresses are enhanced with beaded moccasins, leggings, beaded belt or concho belt, beaded hair barrettes, hair ties and otter skin hair wraps.  The Traditional woman carries a shawl folded over her arm. A beaded bag and an Eagle feather fan.  There are two types of Traditional Women’s dance; Southern style which is danced around the arena and Northern which is danced in one spot.
     Women’s Fancy Shawl Dancers wear light weight dresses made from shiny fabrics.  Their leggings are made of the same fabric or buckskin.  A beaded yoke, belt, hair ties, choker and barrettes complete the apparel.  Most important is the shawl which is worn over the shoulders and held out as the dancer steps and twirls.  The legend behind this dance is of a butterfly that lost her mate in battle.  Grieving she went into her cocoon (shawl) and traveled the world over stepping on each stone until she found beauty in one and was able to begin her life anew.  The Fancy Shawl Dance is very athletic with intricate footwork and fluid movements.
     The Jingle Dance comes from the Ojibwe Nation.   The Jingle Dress is made from fabric such as cotton or taffeta and have numerous “jingles” attached to it.  These jingles are made from snuff can lids.  The very distinctive sound they make represents waves of water or thunder and is good luck because it scares away the evil spirits.  Moccasins, leggings, beaded or concho belt, neck scarf, bag, and an Eagle tail or Wing fan completes the regalia.  The steps are controlled and do not involve high kicking or twirls. Often the steps are in a zigzag pattern to reflect the zigzagging involved in the journey of life.