About
Pow Wow Head Staff:
Northern Singing/Drum- Songs that are sung at higher vocables. Some of these songs interpret stories
of war, hunting, victory, and social and/or intertribal. Listen closely to the Round Dance songs with English
lyrics; you just may be swept off your feet!
Southern Singing/Drum- Songs that are sung at lower vocables. Most of southern style singing is
derived from Oklahoma. These songs also reflect war, hunting, victory and social and/or intertribal.
Southern round dance songs also have English lyrics, some are referred to as “49” songs, they are the good
ones!
Master of Ceremonies- The voice of the powwow. This person regulates the energy of the circle. This
person is knowledgeable of songs, dances, drums and overall performance with flow of duties. This person
should have earned the Right to speak before groups of people, elders, Chiefs and dignitaries. This person
on the mic also has the right to tease his brother in laws, ex brother in laws, and even future brother in laws!
Roving Emcee- This
person is responsible for keeping the crowd and dancers involved and providing interviews with selected individuals on timely
basis to ensure that not only are the “Natives” having a good time, but also the “non Natives” as
well! This person has the right to rove, but not to “rove” with any ex wives!
Arena Director- This person is responsible
for the Arena, inside and outside. Duties include; lining up the Grand Entry, controlling traffic of dancers
who are entering and exiting, keeping the arena clean and presentable, and working with MC to ensure smooth flow of scheduled
events. This person is knowledgeable of songs, dances, drums, and traditions of his own tribe, and other
tribe’s traditional ways as well. This person usually tries to squeeze into that old pair of Wranglers
and dress that “cowboy” look for Saturday night main event!
Head
Dancers- These people are called upon to lead all other dancers in the Arena.
They are selected because of their knowledge of Powwow, the respect they have amongst their peers, and also the respect
they possess for the Circle. They lead by example, so they must be on best behavior for entire weekend!
Head Dance Judge- Most Powwows now days, are competition Powwows.
During these competition powwows, dancers are scaled on a point system. At the conclusion, points
are added and this determines places and prizes to be awarded. Throughout the weekend, there are many ways
to accumulate these points; participation of the grand entry, exhibition dances, parades (if a powwow has a parade), spot
checks, and contests in their own respective category.
The
Head Dance Judge is responsible for selecting judges that are present at the powwow. These judges that
selected will be judging the dancers during their contest. A head judge should be a respected person of
the circle and knowledgeable of each style of dance. This person should not accept any kind of bribes or select his or her
ex partners!
Head Singer/Drum Judge- Just as noted in previous description, there are also contests in the singing category amongst competition drum
groups. A head drum judge selects individuals to help him judge the drums that are in contest.
This person should also be a respected Native of the circle with knowledge of songs (both social and contest), drum
etiquette, and drum respect. This person should not accept any kind of bribes, (depends how much and if
or if not there are horses involved) [just kidding].
Head
Gourd Dancer- This person is responsible for leading out all the gourd dancers.
The head gourd dancer should work closely with the head gourd singer and communicate to allow a smooth running session.
The head gourd dancer is often called upon to share his knowledge and teachings with younger dancers and also with
the singers present at the drum.
The head gourd
dancer often sponsors a small “give away” or “special” to demonstrate his gratitude of holding this
high honor. In return for his services, he, and his family, is blessed from our Creator and also maintains
the friendship and family kinship among both men and women gourd dancers.
In Indian Country, the head gourd dancer sometimes will be outfitted in new western shirt(all tucked in and ironed
out perfectly), pressed slacks with a razor sharp crease, and/ or brand new tight wranglers with a new beaded buckle(can’t
see it under the roll), hair slicked up, and a new pair of cowboy boots, (or moccasins)! Although he may
only have a couple teeth in the front, he still looks KEEN, and he knows it! Lol!
About Dance
Categories
Men’s Traditional- This dance is the oldest of all styles. It symbolizes our Native warriors and illustrates the
interpretation of a war story, or special hunt. The original, or straight, style is danced with very smooth,
low to the ground movements and with pride from that dancer’s tribe. Both styles are danced with
symbolic single-bustle worn on the backside and fan, shield, and dancing stick also complete traditional regalia. The designs
in the beadwork of this style determine what tribe and where that dancer comes from
The contemporary Traditional style is a more “up beat” with flashy colors and face paint, and usually
involves more athletic movements, but he still dances to tell a story. So with “contemporary” you better watch
out during intertribals, you might catch a war club in the face!
Men’s
Southern Straight- The gentlemen dancers of the plains. This
style reflects the traditional dancers of Oklahoma. Straight dancers are outfitted “clean”
and regalia are fit to match the dancer’s build, much like a tailored suit. Dancers dance a smooth
rhythmic display of respect, elegance, and pride all combined together.
These dancers are distinguished by the long trailer, usually made of otter pelt, or silver Conchos, to symbolize
the feather bustle that was once used before 20th century. If you brought horses to the powwow,
make sure you keep an eye on them, these dancers have “horse-stealing songs too”!
Men’s Chicken- This dance reflects the courtship of the
male prairie chicken that is trying to gain attention of the female hen. It is danced with moves that are
very athletic and kept in time with the drum beat, similar to other men dances, but special songs that are sung for special
dances that go along with this style.
The smaller
bustles worn on the backside and mirrors that dancers hold in their hand, differentiate them among other men categories, and
don’t forget about the colored spandex and stockings these dancers wear! Just like Nacho Libre said, “these are
my PJ’s”.
Men’s Grass- This dance has many origination stories from many different tribes. The regalia consist of mostly
yarn and ribbon that carries the dancer’s movements to display the flowing of water, breath of wind, and designs in
the fire flames. Dancers dance a mirrored-like movements, in which, “what they do to the left side
of the body, they do to the right side of the body”. If you ever wondered where Elvis got his moves,
after watching these guys, you will see where Elvis got his moves!
Men’s
Fancy- This dance is the most popular, the most energetic, and the most athletic.
These dancers train year round, and develop their own unique style. Both Northern and Southern Fancy
Dancers wear the two feather bustles on the backside. Each dancer also carries sticks in each hand and
tie ruffled angora fur around the knees to symbolize the power and speed of the horse. The regalia consist
of bright colors and beadwork customized to describe each dancer and region they come from. The dancers are fast!
Fast talkers, fast walkers, fast kissers and fast lovers!
Women’s
Traditional- This dance is the oldest of all women categories. It
consists of both Northern and Southern. If it is “Buckskin” category, then you will see the
women dance with their dress made from buckskin adorned with beadwork, shells, and/ or personal flare that describes individual
tribe’s identity. The ownership and/or right to wear that Traditional Buckskin dress, is usually
handed down from hereditary passing, such as mother to daughter or grandmother to granddaughter. Also,
the colors and designs in each dancer’s regalia play an important role of Tribe’s identity.
Most Northern Traditional dancers will dance stationary with rotating movements; this
is all done in time with the drum and perfect unison with their personal fan, shawl, and/ or purse. Most
Southern dancers with dance “walk around” and in time with drum beat and honor beats in the middle of southern
song. Southern traditional dancers are also recognized by their beautiful beadwork and beaded crown they
wear on top of head.
Women’s Traditional also
consists of the Cloth category and Women’s Appliquéd of the Midwest and Woodland tribes. Another
style of Women’s Traditional is the “elk tooth” dress made of trade cloth and elk teeth. This
style comes from the Cheyenne, Crow, Sioux, and other plains tribes.
All in all, these women dancers can dance, bead, sew, braid, cook, drive, work, manage
a family, and still make grand entry!
Women’s Jingle- a very beautiful dance! This dance is fairly new to the circle, but has been
with the founding tribes for years. This dance also has its original and contemporary styles.
This also can be determined with each owns dress and style of dance.
Original style is made of one of the four solid colors and is danced with no feathers and/ or fan, but danced with
a scarf. Contemporary style is made with bright, vivid colors and dancers usually hold an eagle tail fan
and plumes in their braided hair.
Both styles are danced
with dresses with jingles that usually silver in color and made from old Copenhagen snuff lids! Jingles are sewn onto the
dresses to give that unique sound and look of a healing dance. It is said that this dance came in form
of a dream, and is used to heal the circle and people who are in attendance! These dancers are beautiful
to watch, but don’t stare too long, you might come off as “creepy”, and they will get their husband after
you!
Women’s Fancy-
the butterflies of the arena! Lol, just kidding! This dance has no connection to the butterfly and/ or
traditional “Butterfly dance” of the Hopi. It is said that this dance originated from two traditional
buckskin women dancers who tied for 1st place. The judges could not decide so one of the women
grabbed her shawl and asked the drum for Men’s fancy song and began to dance with steps of high energy and output.
Not to be out done, the other women grabbed her shawl and began to compete in similar fashion! Hence
the origination of womens fancy.
These beautiful
dancers move throughout the arena with grace, agility, athleticism and smoothness to particular songs like; straight contest,
crow hop, foot slides and double beats. Their regalia consist of beadwork: cape, leggings, moccasins, hair
accessories, and eagle plumes worn on the head. A shawl that is wrapped around the body and is the most
defining piece of dancer’s tribal identity and usually decorated with designs, colors, and personal symbols.
If you need your hair braided, contact a woman fancy dancer! Be sure to bring your own water bottle, hair ties, and
comb (NO intertribal bugs!).
About Gourd Dance
These
songs come from old societies of the Cheyenne. The stationary dancing and movements throughout the whole
arena play important roles of spiritual guidance taught to us from the wolf. The songs that are sung
reflect the teachings handed down from generation to generation and the instruments used; gourd, fan, robe, bandolier, and
sash all express the symbolic meaning of society honoring.
Although
a lot of tribes borrowed or adopted the Gourd dance, it was told to me that this dance and songs came from the Cheyenne people.
Soon later, other tribes brought it into powwow circle from the original society dances.
In the circle today, a lot of gourd dancers will dance in honor for this great country of the United States of America
and the servitude that our warriors have fought for and the true meaning behind our veterans; freedom,
homelands, family and each of their own tribal representation. Today, you may witness some of our
own Native veterans that have served in the Armed forces and have joined in the circle to give back to the circle the once
protected them when in need of prayer and guidance.
So be sure to bring plenty
of loose dollar bills cause when the Emcee indicates there is an honoring on the floor or a “blanket dance” for
the singers, come on out and place that dollar bill, or five, or ten, or whatever you want to give! Sometimes I think them
same dollar bills get passed around at each and every gourd dance anyway, so chances of getting back your same bill, is pretty
good! Lol!
About Grand Entry
The highlight of the Powwow! This is where all the dancers, youngest to oldest, tallest
to shortest and prettiest to the most beautiful, all parade into the arena. The grand entry procession
is lead by a Traditional Eagle staff, carried by a respected dancer or veteran of war. The United States
flag, and other colors represented, follow in line after the Eagle staff. The grand entry allows all royalty,
dignitaries, Chiefs, Powwow Committee and honored head staff to follow behind the colors, and be recognized as the Emcee will
acknowledge and introduce after completion of singing.
The
dancers will enter into the arena according to category; men, women, teen, junior, and tiny tots. These categories are separated
by style, gender, and age. Coordination of line up is one of the jobs of the Arena Director.
The grand entry allows all spectators to witness one of the most
beautiful moments in life, in which a collection of tribal customs come together to produce an energy of life, tradition,
culture through the expression of song and dance. A truly amazing phenomenon that is sure to put a smile
on your face and memory in your heart!
During the grand entry, the Emcee
will ask those who are able to stand, to please rise up and stand in place, remove their hats and offer a token of respect
for the duration of the grand entry. This respect is offered to those veterans carrying the Eagle staff,
US flag, and those who are dancing in the arena. Because, without our veterans we would not have the freedom
we have today.
Grand entry time is also a Kodak time,
in which a lot of people are taking pictures (which is okay), but a word of advice to all the dancers; you never know when
your picture is being taken, so always dress in full regalia, braid your hair, fix your paint, and brush your teeth, (or your
one tooth)!
Also, dance hard and have fun! Remember,
most of your judges are watching you dance in grand entry and there are some people who cannot dance due to certain circumstances.
Ahoooooooo………….!!!
Composed by Ruben Little Head for "Chasing The Sun" Pow Wow & 10K. Ruben
is a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe from Tongue River and Lame Deer Montana. Ruben is a Champion
Traditional dancer, a Champion Singer, and Champion Emcee, (Mon gai)! If any questions, please contact
Ruben at (785) 979-3659 or email at r_littlehead@hotmail.com. For booking your next powwow Emcee or Master of Ceremonies, you can also reach him on facebook/Ruben
Little Head and coming soon- www.rubenlittlehead.com. Reproducing with written permission by
NABI Foundation & Ruben Little Head. info@nabifoundation.org © 2010 Ruben Little Head/NABI Foundation
