Pow Wows are a critical part of American Indian society, often the glue that holds a community together, helping to maintain continuity in times when increased outside pressures force changes that threaten Indian identity. Pow Wows help fulfill social, cultural, and spiritual functions, acting as an arena where people can visit friends and relatives, honor members of the community, celebrate happenings in the community, and take part in dancing, prayers, and rituals, reinforcing traditions and modeling the culture for the children so that “the people might live.”
Pow Wows are a critical part of American Indian society, often the glue that holds a community together, helping to maintain continuity in times when increased outside pressures force changes that threaten Indian identity. Pow Wows help fulfill social, cultural, and spiritual functions, acting as an arena where people can visit friends and relatives, honor members of the community, celebrate happenings in the community, and take part in dancing, prayers, and rituals, reinforcing traditions and modeling the culture for the children so that “the people might live.”
While this list is by no means comprehensive, it will give you some guidance as to what you will see and experience at the Pow Wow. The thing to always bear in mind is that Pow Wow is a joyous celebration of Native American culture and tradition. All are welcomed to share the richness and beauty.
While this list is by no means comprehensive, it will give you some guidance as to what you will see and experience at the Pow Wow. The thing to always bear in mind is that Pow Wow is a joyous celebration of Native American culture and tradition. All are welcomed to share the richness and beauty.
The Arena
The Arena
The arena is blessed by the Spiritual Leader at the onset of the Pow Wow. After the arena is blessed, the arena, the circle area is a sacred ground. The circle is reserved for dancers, drums, and ceremony.
The arena is blessed by the Spiritual Leader at the onset of the Pow Wow. After the arena is blessed, the arena, the circle area is a sacred ground. The circle is reserved for dancers, drums, and ceremony.
Your cooperation in keeping the sacredness of the circle is greatly appreciated. It is important that the arena entry is cleared. Running and playing in the area are prohibited.
Your cooperation in keeping the sacredness of the circle is greatly appreciated. It is important that the arena entry is cleared. Running and playing in the area are prohibited.
The Spiritual Leader
The Spiritual Leader
It is customary to invite the Spiritual Leader from the nation to which the land belongs. In Los Angeles, this would be the Tongva (also known as the Gabrielino). The Spiritual Leader blesses the arena and helps fill the spiritual needs of the people.
It is customary to invite the Spiritual Leader from the nation to which the land belongs. In Los Angeles, this would be the Tongva (also known as the Gabrielino). The Spiritual Leader blesses the arena and helps fill the spiritual needs of the people.
The Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) acts as the “host” or voice that presides over the timing of the Pow Wow. The MC is responsible for keeping the Pow Wow moving in an orderly and timely manner. He notifies the dancers, directs the drums in the order and the type of song they will play, and makes announcements of general interest to all present. Historically, the MC was the camp crier that would gather their people to inform them of ceremonies or other events taking place.
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) acts as the “host” or voice that presides over the timing of the Pow Wow. The MC is responsible for keeping the Pow Wow moving in an orderly and timely manner. He notifies the dancers, directs the drums in the order and the type of song they will play, and makes announcements of general interest to all present. Historically, the MC was the camp crier that would gather their people to inform them of ceremonies or other events taking place.
The Arena Director
The Arena Director
The Arena Director directs activities in the arena and helps ensure appropriate behavior. Sometimes the Arena Director is accompanied by a Whip Man who sees that the arena is treated with respect. The Arena Director is equivalent to a Sergeant-at-Arms maintaining order in the arena, ensuring protocol is followed, and assisting the dancers, the MC, Pow Wow officials, and the Head Staff in carrying out the Pow Wow.
The Arena Director directs activities in the arena and helps ensure appropriate behavior. Sometimes the Arena Director is accompanied by a Whip Man who sees that the arena is treated with respect. The Arena Director is equivalent to a Sergeant-at-Arms maintaining order in the arena, ensuring protocol is followed, and assisting the dancers, the MC, Pow Wow officials, and the Head Staff in carrying out the Pow Wow.
Head Man and Head Woman
Head Man and Head Woman
These dancers are chosen to lead the Pow Wow proceedings based on his or her knowledge of dances, protocol, and traditions. Generally, no one else dances until one or both of the Head Dancers begin the particular dance or set of dances.
These dancers are chosen to lead the Pow Wow proceedings based on his or her knowledge of dances, protocol, and traditions. Generally, no one else dances until one or both of the Head Dancers begin the particular dance or set of dances.
The Drums
The Drums
The “Drum” consists of a group of singers surrounding the Pow Wow drum with the Lead Singer. Most Pow Wows have a Northern Drum and Southern Drum who perform different songs and styles depending on what is happening in the arena. Other drums are invited to join the arena. The Drum is considered sacred as it is “The Heartbeat of the People,” and it is the central feature to the Pow Wow or any other Native American gathering. At the Pow Wow, each drum comes prepared with a repertoire of as many as 200 songs. The singers must know the appropriate song for the various Pow Wow events and dances. Divided into Southern and Northern styles, the listener will notice singing which differs in tempo, pitch, song configuration, and style.
The “Drum” consists of a group of singers surrounding the Pow Wow drum with the Lead Singer. Most Pow Wows have a Northern Drum and Southern Drum who perform different songs and styles depending on what is happening in the arena. Other drums are invited to join the arena. The Drum is considered sacred as it is “The Heartbeat of the People,” and it is the central feature to the Pow Wow or any other Native American gathering. At the Pow Wow, each drum comes prepared with a repertoire of as many as 200 songs. The singers must know the appropriate song for the various Pow Wow events and dances. Divided into Southern and Northern styles, the listener will notice singing which differs in tempo, pitch, song configuration, and style.
The Head Singer
The Head Singer
Head Singer is the lead singer who holds the honorary position, and chooses the appropriate song(s) and leads the drum.
Head Singer is the lead singer who holds the honorary position, and chooses the appropriate song(s) and leads the drum.
Northern Drums
Northern Drums
Northern Drum is the Northern Plains style of singing and drumming. Songs are generally in four parts with a tailing end, with no breaks or pauses, and uses higher pitch singing.
Northern Drum is the Northern Plains style of singing and drumming. Songs are generally in four parts with a tailing end, with no breaks or pauses, and uses higher pitch singing.
Southern Drums
Southern Drums
Southern Drum is style of singing and drumming from the Southern Plains, especially Oklahoma. Songs may have breaks or pauses, the cadence is generally slower, and the pitch is lower than Northern Style.
Southern Drum is style of singing and drumming from the Southern Plains, especially Oklahoma. Songs may have breaks or pauses, the cadence is generally slower, and the pitch is lower than Northern Style.