Originally, powwow started out as an Algonquin term known as Pauwau or pauau referring to a gathering together of spiritual leaders and medicine men. Pauwauing was a religious ceremony related to healing or curing individuals in the tribe. Today's Native American pow wows were born when a group of early European explorers overheard and mispronounced the word as pow wow.
Although the Massachusetts General Court outlawed the ceremonies due to what many considered to be worshiping the devil or false gods, tribes rebelled and kept the tradition alive in different areas of the country. While most often separated, the term actually does not include a hyphen or space between pow and wow. Ceremonies which existed prior to 1646 were far more sacred and spiritual than many of the powwows held on an annual basis in the United States today.
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.
Annual pow wows are now held all across North America including events at college campuses, small celebrations in small towns and larger events in big cities. Two such events include the largest held in Los Angeles, California and one of the smallest in White Eagle, Oklahoma. While this is the case, there are numerous events throughout the year in all areas of the country. In most cases, the events run over a long weekend.
Individuals whom travel to the events often see travel time as part and parcel to the overall journey. For, many use the time to contemplate personal beliefs and feelings with regards to the history of the Native Americans. In most cases, these individuals come to observe, sing, dance, play and keep the heritage and history of the Native American tribes alive.
Whatever the reason, a powwow often provides good feelings, feelings that are both physical and mental. In most cases, this is believed to the be the reason that powwows have become so popular over the last several decades. Whereas, these ceremonies still serve as the main cultural activities and events of many Native American tribes.
A tribe known as the Poncas were the first to practice a powwow ceremony, at the time known as Hethuska in 1804. The ceremony was handed down to the Kaw and then the Osage who renamed the ceremony the Inlonschka. After which, the ceremony spread northward to the Omaha and then the Lakota or Sioux tribe which in the late 1890s began popularizing the ceremony on reservations.
Known as the Omaha Grass dance once the Lakota presented the ceremonies, the ceremony became far more popular than that of the Ghost Dance during the same period. Although, unlike other dances, the Grass dancers were dancing solely for the pleasure of dance. After which, different tribal dances became a huge part of these events past and present.
Although the Massachusetts General Court outlawed the ceremonies due to what many considered to be worshiping the devil or false gods, tribes rebelled and kept the tradition alive in different areas of the country. While most often separated, the term actually does not include a hyphen or space between pow and wow. Ceremonies which existed prior to 1646 were far more sacred and spiritual than many of the powwows held on an annual basis in the United States today.
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.
Annual pow wows are now held all across North America including events at college campuses, small celebrations in small towns and larger events in big cities. Two such events include the largest held in Los Angeles, California and one of the smallest in White Eagle, Oklahoma. While this is the case, there are numerous events throughout the year in all areas of the country. In most cases, the events run over a long weekend.
Individuals whom travel to the events often see travel time as part and parcel to the overall journey. For, many use the time to contemplate personal beliefs and feelings with regards to the history of the Native Americans. In most cases, these individuals come to observe, sing, dance, play and keep the heritage and history of the Native American tribes alive.
Whatever the reason, a powwow often provides good feelings, feelings that are both physical and mental. In most cases, this is believed to the be the reason that powwows have become so popular over the last several decades. Whereas, these ceremonies still serve as the main cultural activities and events of many Native American tribes.
A tribe known as the Poncas were the first to practice a powwow ceremony, at the time known as Hethuska in 1804. The ceremony was handed down to the Kaw and then the Osage who renamed the ceremony the Inlonschka. After which, the ceremony spread northward to the Omaha and then the Lakota or Sioux tribe which in the late 1890s began popularizing the ceremony on reservations.
Known as the Omaha Grass dance once the Lakota presented the ceremonies, the ceremony became far more popular than that of the Ghost Dance during the same period. Although, unlike other dances, the Grass dancers were dancing solely for the pleasure of dance. After which, different tribal dances became a huge part of these events past and present.
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