Powwows are an important part of Native American culture and history. We invite you to learn more about powwows and enter for your chance to win a virtual ticket to the biggest powwow in North America below. The Gathering of Nations experience does not end when you leave and head for home, but rather continues in your heart and mind, remains with you down the road to the next event, powwow, or your own personal family gathering(s).1
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO WINNERS - TIM G. OF NEW YORK AND ANDREW S. OF ARKANSAS.
What is a powwow?
The term “powwow” is actually a North Eastern Woodland word belonging to the Narragansett Language and the closest English translation is “meeting.” Today’s gathering or powwow bases itself on the fundamental values common to Native Americans across North America: Honor, Respect, Tradition, and Generosity.2
Powwows are a celebration of American Indian culture in which people from diverse indigenous nations gather for the purpose of dancing, singing, and honoring the traditions of their ancestors. One major difference between old-time events and modern powwows is that the latter are intertribal and inclusive, meaning that they are open to all who wish to attend, whereas pre-contact events allowed only tribal members and those from friendly neighboring tribes on the dance grounds.3
A modern pow-wow is a specific type of event where both Native American and non-Native American people meet to dance, sing, socialize, and honor American Indian culture. There is sometimes a dancing competition, often with significant prize money awarded. 4
How long to powwows last?
A powwow can vary in length, lasting a few hours or up to a day or even 3 days. Major powwows and special occasion powwows can last up to a week. They are not sudden events, powwows take months of planning and there is usually a sponsor and many people involved in the planning. 4
Why are the drums so important?
To Native people, Indian drums are much more than just decorations or interesting musical instruments. American Indian drums are believed to speak to the drummer. Native drums being made in a circle represent the earth and life. The beating drum is compared to the beating of a human heart and is said to represent the heartbeat of the earth. 5
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1 http://www.gatheringofnations.com 2 https://www.powwows.com/history-of-the-powwow/ 3 https://www.britannica.com/topic/powwow 4 http://tribaldirectory.com/american-indian-pow-wows.html 5 http://indians.org/articles/native-american-pow-wow.html
The greatest thing about the Gathering of Nations is the respect that is shown to all Native people of the world.
— Flint Carney, Kiowa Tribe
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