While the term powwow was originally an Algonquin word spelled Pauwau or pauau for a gathering of medicine men and spiritual leaders, the word and meaning has changed over the years. Pauwauing was actually a religious ceremony related to curing and healing tribal members. Whereas, today's Native American pow wows were actually brought about when a group of early European explorers mispronounced the word as pow wow when talking with others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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