The Native American Pow Wows are the Native Indian’s way of gathering for visiting, singing, dancing, renewing friendships, and making friends. This is the time for the Native Americans to renew their culture and to preserve their rich heritage.

There were many different versions of how the Pow Wow started. Others believed that some of the Southern Plains Tribes and the War Dance society of Ponca were the source of the Pow Wow. Another believed that Native American tribes were forced by the government when they moved into the reservations to have dances for everyone to watch and see. The Native Americans were lead into the town for a parade before the dance started. This is considered as their Grand Entry.

Pow Wow singers were very important in the Native American pow wow. Without them, no dancing would have happened. Their songs varied from social to war to religious songs. As various tribes met, singers would share their songs with the other tribes so they could join and sing together as one. With the different songs of the tribes, the use of “vocables” was used to substitute the words of the original songs. Even with the used of vocables, the songs sung during pow wows were still meaningful to those who recognize the song. A lot of songs are still sung using the Native American language both the newly composed and the revivals. These songs remind the American Indians of their rich heritage and old ways.

Dances were also an important part of the Native American pow wow. Dances seen during Pow Wow these days are social dances that may have a different style from the early native dances. While the styles and moves have changed, the meaning and importance remain the same. The outfits and clothing style have evolved throughout the years but the changed gave a vibrant way of life for the Native Indians.

How to set the Native American Pow Wows

Native American Pow Wows were organized by committees who worked for weeks prior to the event. During the pow wow, the head organizer leads the events. The head organizer worked with the Arena Director to ensure that the event is well organized and will run smoothly. They worked along with the committee in bringing the people together for dancing and camaraderie.

The Native American Pow Wow begins with a Grand Entrance. All the people will enter the Grand Arena during the Grand Entry. Everyone would stand as the flags were brought into the arena. The flags include the U.S. flag, the POW flag, tribal flags, and the Eagle staffs of all the tribes present. The flags were usually carried by the veterans.

Next to the veterans were the important guests of the Native American Pow Wows such as the Tribal Chiefs, Elders, Princesses, and the Pow Wow organizers. They were followed by the men dancers and the women dancers. After everyone has gotten inside the arena, a song is sung in honoring the veterans and the flags. After the prayer, the dancing continues usually for a few rounds of dances. It will be followed by intertribal dances where everyone dances over drumbeats.

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