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| PowWow Princess Fancy Dancer Earring/Necklace Set |
During the following replies, it was noted that not everyone knows exactly what a powwow is... or how much fun it can be for the participants and the public.
So I decided that for my very first blog post here, I wanted to share something that I love. The joy of the powwows from a vendors' point of view!
It's About More Than Money
Setting up at a powwow is like a family reunion all season long. Especially after being cooped up during the winter months. Once you hit that powwow trail, you may see people that you just saw the week-end before and people that you may not have seen for years. No matter how long it has been there is a feeling of family and love that just cannot be described.
There is also a spiritual feeling that knows no words. The sounds of the drum, that we call the heart beat of Mother Earth, call to our hearts..whether for prayer, ceremony or just plain fun-gathering in the camp area. The drum is shown the utmost respect at all times, no matter if it is the large group drum for our dances or a single person hand drum. That is our Mother's heart beat. Period!
Just as in the days past, when the time to gather together again we rejoice in the birth of new family members and mourn the loss of good friends that have taken the journey since last we gathered.
Some of the best times are after the gates close to the public, Some times we get together for 'trade blanket'. This is a very fun, and can sometimes be rather rowdy, time! Other times we get together behind someone's vendor stand or at a camp fire and just enjoy life. Tell jokes, sing to drum songs or just share points of view.
Share Some of the Feeling
I just put together some of my favorite photos to create a slide show just to give you a taste of what you can find at almost any powwow event. Notice several veteran photos. These ceremonies are not just done at Veterans Day or Memorial Day. This is something you will see every single week-end at almost every single powwow. Native peoples just don't need a government holiday to honor our Warriors.
Hope Every One Enjoys!!
May Creator Bless You and Yours!
I went to my first powow type event this weekend in Statesville NC! My best friend and her husband (not native american)became involved in Native American culture through the boy scouts and Order of the Arrow. I'm a beadweaver (not native american) and she told me I had to come to see one of the vendors (Flying Feathers) who has a huge variety of czech seed beads (it was awesome!). It blew my mind to watch 16 year old boy scouts discuss the merits of AB finish and charlottes vs. two cuts. My friend specializes in creating Lumbee (Eastern NC) regalia and the wonderful pinecone quilting and her husband does most of the beadwork. From what she says, most of the powows and other events they attend are also very strict about their vendors having hand made items, specifically hand made by native americans. It's all very fascinating to me and there does seem to be quite a movement in teaching everything from beading, quilting, shawlwork, and dance steps.
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