The Powwow
Keeping a legacy alive
The powwow, originating from the Algonquin term pau wau, originally referred to a healing ceremony conducted by tribal spiritual leaders. Now the powwow is a large group gathering and is one of the only ways that indigenous people can pass on historically endangered traditions. Many of the songs and dances performed at powwows were at one time tribe-specific ceremonies that have been passed down since before recorded history.
The first intertribal powwows took place in an era of displacement during the 1800s. Ripped from their original homelands, many tribes that were once bitter enemies formed intertribal alliances with a shared enemy: the colonialist government, which would continue to battle against their culture and way of life. In 1921, the Bureau of Indian Affairs passed the legislation Circular 1665, which made Native celebrations illegal during certain parts of the year. The legislation's ultimate goal was to end the powwow, but many tribes still chose to meet in secret. Setting aside their differences, they broke bread, shared tribe-specific songs and danced into the night.
The Modern Powwow
Today, over a hundred years later, the tradition is continued across North and South America. In the small town of Cleburne, Texas, tribal members from all walks of life set aside the bustle of regular life to perform the spiritual duties passed down by their ancestors.
“We’ve got to keep it alive—keep the language and culture alive. It's what our ancestors want us to do. I want to be able to honor them, and I think this is the best way possible,” said Anthony Dominguez, a ceremonial dancer and tribal member.
At the center of the celebration, a group carries out the ceremonial drum - a sacred and religious item handled with the highest regard. Around the drum sits a skilled group of musicians and singers. Having prepared all year for this, they consider this performance a sacred privilege. They pick up the drumsticks, and with the first beat all goes silent, and the pounding of the drum echoes throughout the sacred site. The dancers, donning handmade regalia slowly enter the dance circle around the drum. They begin their dances, representing their respective tribal heritages.
Dancers vary from 6 year old children to the tribal elders, and during the ceremony the spectators are silent in awe of the spectacle. While some powwows specify that only tribal members may attend, the Indigenous Institute of the Americas (IIA) welcomed the community to the two-day celebration.
The ceremonies also included an adoption ceremony, moment of recognition for the nation's veterans and even a wedding vow renewal. Late into the second day after the dances and songs, the ceremony ended in a prayer thanking the Creator, and the teepees and tents were packed up. The dancers swapped their sacred regalia for regular street clothes, and with a smile on their faces set out for their journeys home—until next time.
“Passing it onto the youth is the most important thing. I’ve been dancing since I was 5 years old—I see these little ones out there, just the way I was,” said Dallas-native Dennis Begay, a three-time world champion hoop dancer.
"I’m getting old, I have to leave it to these young guys. It's time to let it go, but it's hard to do when you hear these songs.”
Story and photos by Shane Manson, dedicated to Ray Manson of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa
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