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.
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.
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.
For those whom attend these events, travel is part of the experience. For, the hours of travel allows individuals to grasp the feeling during the long trip and to better understand personal beliefs. Some come to the celebrations to see relatives and friends, others to sing songs and dance and others to observe and take in the atmosphere.
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.
The Poncas were the first tribe to create and celebrate a pow wow ceremony in 1804. After which, the ceremony was handed to down through several other tribes until the Lakota Sioux tribe began holding the ceremonies on reservations in the 1890s. Prior to that the Omaha and Kaw maintained the same sacred aspect of the ceremonies as that of the Poncas.
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.
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.
For those whom attend these events, travel is part of the experience. For, the hours of travel allows individuals to grasp the feeling during the long trip and to better understand personal beliefs. Some come to the celebrations to see relatives and friends, others to sing songs and dance and others to observe and take in the atmosphere.
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.
The Poncas were the first tribe to create and celebrate a pow wow ceremony in 1804. After which, the ceremony was handed to down through several other tribes until the Lakota Sioux tribe began holding the ceremonies on reservations in the 1890s. Prior to that the Omaha and Kaw maintained the same sacred aspect of the ceremonies as that of the Poncas.
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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