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.
Powwows are held in many different areas across North America from small towns such as that of White Eagle, Oklahoma to big cities like the one held in Los Angeles, California. A powwow can take place anywhere from cow pastures to college campuses to convention and event centers and are held year round. In most cases, the festivals take place over the course of a three or four day weekend though often draw visitors from all over the country.
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.
Most people having been to one of these events report having an overall good or pleasant sensation. Whereas, the feeling is often reported as being one of a mental, physical and spiritual nature. As such, it is believed that this is one reason so many return to these events year after year.
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.
Powwows are held in many different areas across North America from small towns such as that of White Eagle, Oklahoma to big cities like the one held in Los Angeles, California. A powwow can take place anywhere from cow pastures to college campuses to convention and event centers and are held year round. In most cases, the festivals take place over the course of a three or four day weekend though often draw visitors from all over the country.
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.
Most people having been to one of these events report having an overall good or pleasant sensation. Whereas, the feeling is often reported as being one of a mental, physical and spiritual nature. As such, it is believed that this is one reason so many return to these events year after year.
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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