A powwow is a Native American gathering of dance, song, drum and community. It isn’t a worship service, but Oklahoma Today’s guide says to treat it with the respect you’d give a spiritual gathering. Many are open to the public, often on weekends.
Before you go
Wear normal, casual clothes, nothing revealing. Don’t wear a headdress or anything like a costume.
Bring a chair, and sit in the outer circle or the bleachers. At a small powwow, ask the organizers first.
Leave alcohol, drugs and firearms at home.
What happens
Each session begins with Grand Entry. The eagle staff and flags come in, then the dancers, in order. Then come a flag song, an opening prayer and songs for veterans. After that: dances by category, contests, honor songs, and intertribal dances. Sometimes there’s a blanket dance to raise money for someone. The emcee explains every part and tells the crowd what to do. Listen to the emcee. They’re your guide.
The two big rules
Stand when they stand. Grand Entry, flag songs, the prayer, veterans’ and memorial songs, honor songs and the closing song all call for standing. Men take off their hats, unless the hat holds eagle feathers or is traditional headgear.
Regalia, not costume. What dancers wear can take months or years to make, and may be a family heirloom. Don’t touch it. If something drops from a dancer’s outfit, don’t pick it up. A dropped eagle feather is sacred: don’t touch it or photograph it, and tell the emcee.
Do and don’t
- Dance when you’re invited. Intertribals are open to everyone. Wait for the emcee’s invitation, and move clockwise with the circle.
- Photos: generally fine, but ask before a close-up of a person. No flash during contests or honor songs. Put the camera down for memorial dances.
- Stay out of the arena, and don’t sit on the dancers’ benches.
- Eat outside the dance circle.
Saying thanks
Buy from the vendors, especially the frybread. Give during a blanket dance. Dancers often chat between songs.
Try it on
How much of your town’s Native history do you know from Native people, and how much from a sign by the highway?