While the term powwow was originally an Algonquin word spelled Pauwau or pauau for a gathering of medicine men and spiritual leaders, the word and meaning has changed over the years. Pauwauing was actually a religious ceremony related to curing and healing tribal members. Whereas, today's Native American pow wows were actually brought about when a group of early European explorers mispronounced the word as pow wow when talking with others.
In 1646, the Massachusetts General Court outlawed the practice due to the appearance of worshiping false gods, or the devil. While most often separated, the proper context of the word is actually powwow with no hyphen or separation between pow and wow. The ceremonies which existed prior to 1646 were much more sacred and serene than the ones currently produced by a number of Native American tribes each year in the United States.
Pow wows have evolved from the formal ceremonies of the past into a blend of tribal dance, family reunions and festivity. Widely known for the beautiful feathers and costumes displayed in tribal dance and ceremony, the events are now aimed as much at visitors as tribal members.
Whether held in a small town such as White Eagle, Oklahoma or a big city such as Los Angeles, California, a pow wow can take place anywhere, even in a cow pasture. In most cases, the events are held on an annual basis, usually over a three day weekend. For, tribal members and visitors often travel from all over the country to attend these events.
For those whom attend these events, travel is part of the experience. For, the hours of travel allows individuals to grasp the feeling during the long trip and to better understand personal beliefs. Some come to the celebrations to see relatives and friends, others to sing songs and dance and others to observe and take in the atmosphere.
Individuals whom have attended these events indicate that doing so provides an overall good feeling, a feeling that is both mental and physical. As such, it is believed that this experience is part and parcel to the popularity of pow wows at the current time. Whereas, tribal members still see the event as one of the main cultural events and activities of many Native American tribes.
The Poncas were the first tribe to create and celebrate a pow wow ceremony in 1804. After which, the ceremony was handed to down through several other tribes until the Lakota Sioux tribe began holding the ceremonies on reservations in the 1890s. Prior to that the Omaha and Kaw maintained the same sacred aspect of the ceremonies as that of the Poncas.
During the time of the Lakota ceremonies, the festival was known as the Omaha or Grass Dance, a ceremony which spread faster the Ghost Dance of the same period. Unlike other dances with a ceremonial purpose, the Grass dancers danced for the sole purpose of dancing rather than as a part of a religious or spiritual ceremony. After which, dance became a huge part of powwows as still remains the case today.
In 1646, the Massachusetts General Court outlawed the practice due to the appearance of worshiping false gods, or the devil. While most often separated, the proper context of the word is actually powwow with no hyphen or separation between pow and wow. The ceremonies which existed prior to 1646 were much more sacred and serene than the ones currently produced by a number of Native American tribes each year in the United States.
Pow wows have evolved from the formal ceremonies of the past into a blend of tribal dance, family reunions and festivity. Widely known for the beautiful feathers and costumes displayed in tribal dance and ceremony, the events are now aimed as much at visitors as tribal members.
Whether held in a small town such as White Eagle, Oklahoma or a big city such as Los Angeles, California, a pow wow can take place anywhere, even in a cow pasture. In most cases, the events are held on an annual basis, usually over a three day weekend. For, tribal members and visitors often travel from all over the country to attend these events.
For those whom attend these events, travel is part of the experience. For, the hours of travel allows individuals to grasp the feeling during the long trip and to better understand personal beliefs. Some come to the celebrations to see relatives and friends, others to sing songs and dance and others to observe and take in the atmosphere.
Individuals whom have attended these events indicate that doing so provides an overall good feeling, a feeling that is both mental and physical. As such, it is believed that this experience is part and parcel to the popularity of pow wows at the current time. Whereas, tribal members still see the event as one of the main cultural events and activities of many Native American tribes.
The Poncas were the first tribe to create and celebrate a pow wow ceremony in 1804. After which, the ceremony was handed to down through several other tribes until the Lakota Sioux tribe began holding the ceremonies on reservations in the 1890s. Prior to that the Omaha and Kaw maintained the same sacred aspect of the ceremonies as that of the Poncas.
During the time of the Lakota ceremonies, the festival was known as the Omaha or Grass Dance, a ceremony which spread faster the Ghost Dance of the same period. Unlike other dances with a ceremonial purpose, the Grass dancers danced for the sole purpose of dancing rather than as a part of a religious or spiritual ceremony. After which, dance became a huge part of powwows as still remains the case today.
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