Pow Wows 2019, Guide For Bringing Your Family With You

By Rebecca Evans


Powwows are public and private social gatherings which are held by the Native Americans. If you are an indigenous parent, then powwows has been a part of your journey for continuing to reclaim your cultural practices. Attending pow wows 2019 will allow you and your family to experience fun, creating great memories while you celebrate with their vibrant and rich culture.

Certain behaviors coming from you are expected during the said festival, novice or veteran. Customs varies every year and from every tribe, but basic rules will always remain the same. There are behaviors that you may do which is considered disrespectful for them, add some of these behaviors could lead you being kicked out.

You are there to have fun and enjoy, to get to know the Native American more, and to experience new things from them. You do not want that to be ruined just because you have done something which you did not know will bring the law for them. To ensure that your behavior is appropriate and you know that you are following the rules, here are tips to keep in mind.

Here, you may dance for as long as you want without being judged. Your children can hang out with other children, while you and your husband can enjoy the dance floor with friends. For newbies, you must be open minded to any spiritual connections and values that these community believes in. Asking questions is okay, so if you have one, do not be afraid to ask.

Listen to the announcer. The announcer in the front will be the one who will tell you when can you only take photos and dance. Outsiders and visitors may dance during their inter tribal dance, but first, listen for the announcement before you start participating. Always ready your ears for any announcement to avoid getting into trouble.

Remain amid the terrific passageway. To indicate regard, which is normal, stand when the artists begin to enter the field. You are only exempted if there is a reason behind why you are unable to stand. Try not to seat on those chairs that are close to the moving circle because those are held only for artists, vocalists, and drummers.

Look for food stall with the longest line and dance through intertribals. Kids can stimulate their visuals here and the stories they will learn will teach them lessons, lessons which they can bring with them at home. Here, there are a lot of ways on how to expose them to such culture, like high notes of singers and the beat of drums.

When taking photographs, use your common sense and follow protocol. During prayers, do not take photos. Certain dances and flag songs prohibits taking photos. If you want to take a photo of a dancer, you need to ask permission from them first. Same goes when dancers are being initiated and are receiving feather or plume as this could disrupt the process.

These events are full of energy and color. Have fun, but keep in mind that the participants are not only there to entertain you. You must take their performance seriously because it is their income. Most importantly, be willing to have your expectations changed and to adapt new situations. Rules are redefined every year, so be flexible.




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