Indian Pow Wow
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Upon going to the Indian Pow Wow it was a cultural experience that I will not soon forget. The moment I entered the building, a sudden rush of excitement engulfed me. From the pounding drums to the grand entrance. The Pow Wow as a hole exceeded my expectations. Seeing how many people were there was astonishing. There was people of all ages including the Native Americans who were dancing. All of this accumulated to a one of a kind cultural experience that was enjoyable to watch and be a part of.
From what I saw there were two separate drummer circles. They were arranged on opposite sides of the large dancing circle and where each composed of ten or so drummers. The drum beat is a crucial element during the pow wow. Not only does it help keep the tempo for the dancers. They were also utilized in getting the audiences attention. Whether it was before someone spoke or to signal that a dance was about to commence. The drums were simple in creation but served a important purpose. Without them the pow wow just wouldnt feel the same. The drums allow people to feel spiritual and connected with there inner flow. This translated to a enjoyable visual experience created by the dancers and with an audio experience made by the drum circles.
The other major component of the pow wow was the native american dancers. There was a wide variety of dancers and they all had there own special outfits. Each one as unique as the last. Some of there outfits included feathers in the shapes of wings on the back. There were also costumes covered with shinny bells that jingled every time they moved. These bells help create a ambiance for the pow wow, along with helping others dance with the rhythm. Some other special costumes that I noticed included a Marine Core costume. This one I appreciated above the others because I have family members who serve in the Marines along with friends who do so as well. Seeing someone represent the Marines at an indian pow wow like that just reverberates how diverse our country really is.
The third element of the pow wow is all the people involved who werent there to dance or play drums. This included all different kinds of jewelry dealers, clothes, and even CDs. People take full advantage of being able to sell both authentic and replica indian gear. It is hear that I feel a connection is made between the two cultures. Being able to trade with one another is a great way to make a strong and friendly relationship between different cultures.
With that being said it also helps me realize how far we have come as a society as well. It wasnt so long ago that Indians were simply called savages and were unfit for the modern western lifestyle. However after going to the pow wow and witnessing it first hand, it made me realize how similar we really are. Even though we still have major differences our rights of passage still have the same meanings and lessons