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 MC or arena director.


Songs are very important and have intense personal impact.

Mike Hotaine, MC and Dakota person from Manitoba, explains. "There is a song everywhere. No matter where you go, there is a song. And that's what we're told to listen to. There's songs in the grass, because it is the sacred blanket of Mother Earth in the summertime. And there are songs in the wintertime when the wind howls through windows and doors, there is a song. There's songs in birds that sing a particular song and there are words in that song. All we have to do is learn to listen to them, the great songs of Mother Earth." "God gave one of the greatest gifts to us, to sing together, and the beat of that particular song , the drumbeat itself, which is your heart. So your heart is your drumbeat, and your songs are the gifts of life...the songs of life."


Ron Davis, a Grass Dancer from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, says. "You hear a good song, you're out there dancing, you kind of go to your inner self, into where you had your vision. You go back to the place where you feel comfortable in your own state of mind. And nothing else around you can interrupt that. And when you hear that song, it's so pretty, you know, it sounds like the wind. And you just dance to that, and it feels good."


Lillian Goodeagle, a Dakota/Northern Cheyenne champion Fancy Shawl dancer , explains. "A real good song, it just comes into you. It's like in your heart, and your body, your feet, your legs, your arms--everything--is expressing that song."

The dances at Powwows have a strong personal and spiritual dimension. There are many different stories and interpretations for each dance, depending on tribal and family background. While they may differ in facts, they are all considered true...for truth can exist in many forms.


MEN'S TRADITIONAL
WOMAN'S TRADITIONAL
MEN'S GRASS DANCE
WOMEN'S JINGLE DRESS
MEN'S FANCY DANCE or MEN'S FANCY BUSTLE DANCE
WOMEN'S FANCY SHAWL DANCE

The Powwow is an American Indian gathering focusing on dance, song and family celebration. Traditionally, it is a celebration presented by one tribe or band to welcome and honor others. Powwows are usually three day weekend events and people may travel great distances to attend. The main Powwow season is summer (traditionally beginning with a Powwow in March in Denver), however there has been a resurgence of Powwows in the last decade, making it possible to attend a Powwow every weekend year round in North America. All people (including non-Indian people) are welcome at Powwows and are encouraged to attend one, as experiencing a Powwow can be a valuable and fascinating cultural experience for non-Indian people unfamiliar with our neighbors, the Indian people.

There are several different kinds of Powwows, though the two most common are known as traditional and competition Powwows, respectively. In traditional Powwows everyone who participates in the dance or singing programs is awarded day money. While there is still a degree of competition in the dancing events, it is somewhat informal and ceremonies such as honorings, giveaways, "first" dances and adoptions are also important activities of the day. A competition Powwow, on the other hand, has significant prize money available for the dancers, depending upon the resources available to the individual host tribe. While everyone can still compete and dance, only the dancers who place near the top of the competition receive prize money. Drum groups also compete for prize money.

The Powwow is organized by the Powwow committee, a dedicated group of members of the host tribe. Their work involves the bringing together of the drums, dancers, entertainment, food, crafts booths, and the administration of the Powwow grounds (parking, registration, camping, sanitation, sound system, and security). Once the Powwow begins, it is run by the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Arena Directors. Different MCs have different styles and the choice of an MC greatly influences the feel of the Powwow. The MCs provide a running commentary of events, announcements, and most importantly background information about the dances, rituals and spirit of the Powwow. Instilling appropriate humor into the proceedings is also the work of the MC. The Arena Directors keep the event moving and manage the flow of activity in the arena. At any one time, they may be telling the drums who will play next and what kind of song to have ready, seeing to the accommodations of the judges, or organizing the dancers. It is an extremely active and important job.

Judges are changed for each category and are chosen for their knowledge of the dance style and drum. They judge dancers on their style and form, regalia and ability to stay in time with the drum and stop on the final beat.


POWWOW WORDS AND SOUNDS
in the Dakota language


1. Wacipi - (wa-CHEE-pe) - Dance

2. Okawingapi - (wah-KAH-win-ah-pe) - Grand Entry

3. Cancega - (CHON-chay-gah) - Drum

4. Wicahcana wacipi - (we-CHA-hcha-nah wa-CHEE-pe) - Men's Traditional Dance

5. Winyan ahana wacipi - (WEEN-yon eh-HON-nah wah-CHEE-pe) - Womens Traditional dance

6. Akicita - (ah-KE-che-tah) - Warrior/veteran

7. Makoce nupa umanipi - (mah-KO-chay NU-pah uh-man-epe) - Walking in two worlds

8. Wicohan on wowicakupi - (we-CHO-han oon wah-WE-cha-ku-pe) - Giveaway (given away into the crowd)

9. Pezi wacipi - (peh-ZE wah-CHEE-pe) - Grass Dance

10. Wakanheja - (wah-KON-eh-zah) - Children

11. Witko sni - (wee-KO sh-NEE) - Sober (not crazy)

12. Sina unpi skehan wacipi - (sh'nah oon-pe sh'keh-han wa-CHEE-pe) - Fancy Shawl Dance

13. Waboga unpi skehan wacipi - (wah-BOH-ga oon-pe sh'keh-han wa-CHEE-pe) - Men's Fancy Dance

14. Wakantanka - (wak-KON-ton-kah) - Great Spirit/The Creator

15. Odowan - (oh-DOH-won) - Song

THE DRUM
People say you can't have a Powwow without a drum, for it 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.

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. 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. Approriately, it is to be treated with respect and care, and strict behavior is expected of anyone coming in contact with the drum. The drum is often thought to help bring the physical and mental side of a person back in touch with his or her spiritual or heart side. As with many things in the Indian culture, the drum is used to bring balance and rejuvenation to a person through their participation in dancing, singing or listening to the heartbeat.