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.
While the ceremonies were very popular among the tribes, the Massachusetts General Court attempted to outlaw the practice based on the belief the tribes were worshiping demons or false gods in the mid-1600s. While the word is often separated in text, the actual syntax is one word powwow rather than pow wow. Regardless, the early ceremonies prior to the ruling of the court were far more sacred and serene than the ones produced by a number of Native American tribes and others which now take place on annual basis 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.
Whether held in a small town such as White Eagle, Oklahoma or a big city such as Los Angeles, California, a pow wow can take place anywhere, even in a cow pasture. In most cases, the events are held on an annual basis, usually over a three day weekend. For, tribal members and visitors often travel from all over the country to attend these events.
Individuals whom travel to the events often see travel time as part and parcel to the overall journey. For, many use the time to contemplate personal beliefs and feelings with regards to the history of the Native Americans. In most cases, these individuals come to observe, sing, dance, play and keep the heritage and history of the Native American tribes alive.
Most people having been to one of these events report having an overall good or pleasant sensation. Whereas, the feeling is often reported as being one of a mental, physical and spiritual nature. As such, it is believed that this is one reason so many return to these events year after year.
A tribe known as the Poncas were the first to practice a powwow ceremony, at the time known as Hethuska in 1804. The ceremony was handed down to the Kaw and then the Osage who renamed the ceremony the Inlonschka. After which, the ceremony spread northward to the Omaha and then the Lakota or Sioux tribe which in the late 1890s began popularizing the ceremony on reservations.
During the time of the Lakota celebrations, the festival was known as Omaha or Grass Dance, a ceremony which spread across the land faster than that of the Ghost Dance during the same time period. Although, unlike other tribes which practiced ritual dances such as death, rain or marriage, the Grass Dance was danced solely for the pleasure of dancing. After which, most dances became an important aspect of pow wows and still remain so today.
While the ceremonies were very popular among the tribes, the Massachusetts General Court attempted to outlaw the practice based on the belief the tribes were worshiping demons or false gods in the mid-1600s. While the word is often separated in text, the actual syntax is one word powwow rather than pow wow. Regardless, the early ceremonies prior to the ruling of the court were far more sacred and serene than the ones produced by a number of Native American tribes and others which now take place on annual basis 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.
Whether held in a small town such as White Eagle, Oklahoma or a big city such as Los Angeles, California, a pow wow can take place anywhere, even in a cow pasture. In most cases, the events are held on an annual basis, usually over a three day weekend. For, tribal members and visitors often travel from all over the country to attend these events.
Individuals whom travel to the events often see travel time as part and parcel to the overall journey. For, many use the time to contemplate personal beliefs and feelings with regards to the history of the Native Americans. In most cases, these individuals come to observe, sing, dance, play and keep the heritage and history of the Native American tribes alive.
Most people having been to one of these events report having an overall good or pleasant sensation. Whereas, the feeling is often reported as being one of a mental, physical and spiritual nature. As such, it is believed that this is one reason so many return to these events year after year.
A tribe known as the Poncas were the first to practice a powwow ceremony, at the time known as Hethuska in 1804. The ceremony was handed down to the Kaw and then the Osage who renamed the ceremony the Inlonschka. After which, the ceremony spread northward to the Omaha and then the Lakota or Sioux tribe which in the late 1890s began popularizing the ceremony on reservations.
During the time of the Lakota celebrations, the festival was known as Omaha or Grass Dance, a ceremony which spread across the land faster than that of the Ghost Dance during the same time period. Although, unlike other tribes which practiced ritual dances such as death, rain or marriage, the Grass Dance was danced solely for the pleasure of dancing. After which, most dances became an important aspect of pow wows and still remain so today.
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