While the term pauwau or pauau, an Algonquin term referring to a gathering of tribal leaders was the original term for pow wow, the name and meaning have changed over the years. For, Native American Pow Wows are much different in the present than the past. In fact, the word pow wow was born after a group of early explorers misheard, mispronounced, then misspelled the original term.
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.
The ceremonies have evolved from a formal ceremony of the past into a blend of festival, family reunion and tribal dance. Most often famous for the beautiful and colors which are displayed along with dances, these events are now aimed at not only tribe members but the public at large.
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.
Most individuals whom attend these events travel long distances in order to do so. While this is the case, the travel is often considered part of the journey and a method to better understand oneself and associated beliefs. While some come to participate in sacred ceremonies, others come to sing, dance and observe the festive 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 first tribe to celebrate in this manner was that of the Ponca tribe in 1804. At the time, the celebration and ceremony was known as the Hethuska. Later, the ceremony was handed down over the decades to different tribes until reaching the Lakota tribe in the 1890s. It was at that time that the Lakota began holding the ceremonies on reservations, incorporating different aspects of past events.
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.
The ceremonies have evolved from a formal ceremony of the past into a blend of festival, family reunion and tribal dance. Most often famous for the beautiful and colors which are displayed along with dances, these events are now aimed at not only tribe members but the public at large.
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.
Most individuals whom attend these events travel long distances in order to do so. While this is the case, the travel is often considered part of the journey and a method to better understand oneself and associated beliefs. While some come to participate in sacred ceremonies, others come to sing, dance and observe the festive 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 first tribe to celebrate in this manner was that of the Ponca tribe in 1804. At the time, the celebration and ceremony was known as the Hethuska. Later, the ceremony was handed down over the decades to different tribes until reaching the Lakota tribe in the 1890s. It was at that time that the Lakota began holding the ceremonies on reservations, incorporating different aspects of past events.
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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