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The Pow Wow has been part of American Indian life for centuries. The Pow Wow is a traditional gathering designed to promote brotherhood and goodwill among the people. Just as in days of old the meaning and traditions of Pow Wow still hold true today. Pow Wow is a very important part of Native American life today, just as it was centuries ago.
During Pow Wow you will witness many things of honor in American Indian society. One of the most traditional aspects of Pow Wow is the dance.
The dances have been handed down throughout the ages. What you witness today are the dances that were performed by the ancestors thousands of years ago.
At the Pow Wow you will see that dances are performed by both men and women. The performers are of all age groups. Dancers can be from the ages of toddlers clear into their nineties or one hundred years old. Each one of these dancers will perform a specific dance according to tradition.
One of the most unique dances performed by women is the " Jingle Dress" dance.
Jingle Dress dancers are easy to spot because of the tin pieces in the shape of cones sewn carefully to their dress, as well as the jingling noise they make when dancing.
The jingle dress itself is a unique work of art. The dress, usually made of traditional buckskin is sewn in a straight fashion from sleeves to hem. It looks as if their is not much room for movement when dancing. Although it is not a tight garment it fits closer than most other traditional American Indian dresses do. Small silver cones are sewn on the bottom part of the dress very closely together.The tin cones are lined up evenly and sewn in many horizontal rows. These tin cones have numbered as many as two thousand on one Jingle Dress.
The top of the dress usually has much unique beadwork representive of the Nations' colors and design. Buckskin fringe is added along the back and the arms. The fringe has been sewn in with animal sinew. The seams of this dress is also sewn in traditional fasion with animal sinew as well.
Traditional moccasins compliment the Jingle Dress regalia. Moccasins are generally fasioned after the traditional moccasins that Indian ancestors wore many centuries ago. The moccasins are made from buckskin, or doe skin. The moccasins are sewn at the seams with animal sinew. For decorative purposes the moccasins are painted with traditional colors and sketches, or are brightly hand beaded.
The oral tradition of the Jingle Dress dance has many variations. Tradition states that the Jingle Dress dance began in the Northern Chippewa Indian nation and spread quickly throughout the Northern Plains nations. The dance was welcomed into most Plains Indians culture and to this day the dance is performed by most Indian Nations.
Tradition states that the small metal cones, or the "Jingles" attached to the dress represent several different things. The sounds of the jingles ward off bad spirits and welcome good spirit into the dance. Another oral tradition states that the jingle sounds are representative of waves of water crashing. The jingle sounds have also been interpreted as the sound of thunder on the plains.
Jingle Dress dancers are popular in the Pow Wow.
The dance is a rigorous and strenuous dance. The dancer must be in excellent shape and show much stamina to perform.usually the jingle dress dancers are young women, although anyone at any age can perform the dance.
The dancer begins with a faster pace drum beat.
The dancer will then keep time with the beat as well as preserve the traditional movements with grace and fluidity. The dancer must also keep in mind that for every movement of her feet hitting the ground she is keeping her jingles in time with the drum beat. One small step out of time can throw the whole dance off beat.
The most important thing a Jingle Dress dancer will be judged on is traditional movement. These movements are passed down over generations. These dance movements are exclusive to each and every Indian Nation. Once the judges are aware of the Nation of the dancer then they can fairly judge the dance.
The North American Indians have been holding Pow Wows for centuries. The Pow Wow is a time of joy and a time for celebration. In certain parts of the country Pow Wow time means a time for nations to hold their traditional dances privately.
When a Pow Wow is closed to the public it means that either religious ceremony is taking place, or that a death has occured. These particular Pow Wows last three days. During either circumstances, the public will not be allowed to attend due to the religious aspect of traditional Indian religious ceremonies.
When you attend a Pow Wow you are sharing in the traditions and in the Indian way of life. Each dancer representing traditional dance wishes to share a piece of culture and history with you.
Please treat this culture and tradition with the respect it deserves.
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