Pow Wow Tradition by pabear48

 Tradition explains to us that Clans, Tribes and Nations did War against each other: Thus the War Parties! 

Pow Wows were the Native American people's way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones between the Clans, Tribes and Nations for at a Pow Wow no weapons of War were allowed save for the knife. Warriors were not allowed to fight in physical combat.

The Warriors Dance arrived as a challenge back and forth as a mocking war between all in the Circle ( a taunting ). This Tradition is Still with us Today: On many reservations the Warriors Dance is private to registered members of the Tribe and Special people they invite. NO CAMERAS are allowed for the Warriors Dance, and this must be respected by all attending.

A Pow Wow is a time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve a rich heritage. It is a sharing of stories, items exchanged and the feeding of all attending from the hunt and prosperity of the Tribe holding the Pow Wow. Friend or foe all were always fed! Fires were lit and dotted the night skies! Stories were told and sharing of good hunts.

Another belief is that when the Native Americans were forced onto reservations the government also forced them to have dances for the public to come and see. Before each dance they were lead through the town in a parade, which was the beginning of the Grand Entry we have today.

Pow Wow singers are very important figures in the Native American culture. Without them there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social. As various tribes gathered together, they would share their songs, often changing the songs so singers of different tribes could join. With these changes came the use of "vocals" to replace the words of the old songs. Thus, some songs today are sung in vocals with no words.

Yet they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Many songs are still sung in native tongue either newly composed or revivals of old songs. These songs are reminders to the Indian people of their old ways and rich heritage.

Dancers have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dancers seen at Pow Wows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and importance has not. The outfits worn by the dancers, like the styles of clothing today evolve over time, it is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.  

Learning to " Walk Silent " by Wha-O-Chee

Silent Walker:

Once was man, whom mother earth tried to teach to walk silent within the woods. But, man always stirred the leaves. Man asked of mother: "Why do leaves still still?" Mother responded: "Because you have yet to divide yourself."

Man pondered and considered the silent walk path. Thus, the man began to renew his soul and walked with eyes stretched to visit the hawk and eagle, and to look beyond the trees, the forest and the earth itself: Began man to journey in walk to see what silent had to say! Lo and behold:

One marvelous day:

THE MAN WALKED AS THE SILENT WALKER. Mother said, " Now you have found the way of insight and knowledge: One stone away".

FIRST WORD OF ADVICE:

NEVER GIVE ANYONE ADVICE YOUR NOT WILLING TO DO ALSO WITHIN YOUR LIFE...FOR GIVING ADVICE SEEMS SO DIPLOMATICALLY EASY...THAT WE ALL DO IT TIME TO TIME.. BUT I SAY...INEVER GIVE SOMETHING I MYSELF CANNOT DO!

Native Tradition shares with us: THIS GREAT TRUTH!

That no man has the right to tell another man what to do.

We can share our Wisdom and Knowledge "When asked".

Visit: Annlee Cakes