HISTORY OF THE POWOW
The term “powwow” is the white man’s version of the Indian word “pau-wau” which originally stood for a healing ceremony conducted by the spiritual or religious leaders of various tribes. How the powwow got its exact start is not known, but it was thought to have originated with the Pawnee tribe as a religious ceremonial meeting, filled with dancing and other rituals. Other Indian tribes adopted the practice of the powwow and added their own traditions. Indians held these ceremonies to celebrate a successful hunt and to thank the spirits for a bountiful harvest. Powwows also spiritually prepared a warrior for an impending battle. Native Americans were big believers in all things living and spiritual and viewed life and death as an inevitable circle. Some of the powwow ceremonies they conducted celebrated this circle with tribal drums, dancing, food, chanting and traditional healing rituals. They acted out ancient stories handed through the generations, which kept their history alive.
In 2009, the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) sponsored its first outdoor Native American Intertribal Festival and Powwow next to the lake in the town of Palmer Lake. The Historical Society is a 501 (c) 3 educational nonprofit in Palmer Lake, Colorado, dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the history of the Palmer Divide. Since American Indians were the first inhabitants of the area, the PLHS decided to preserve and promote their history, traditions, and culture. The purpose of the event was to facilitate interaction between non-Natives and American Indians from local tribes. The summer day was filled with the sounds of Native drums and singers and the sight of dancers in full Native dress (regalia). Attendees could buy Native made items and sample Native food. Approximately 200 members of the local community attended this first powwow. By 2012, the annual powwow attracted almost 500 people. Eventually, with the lake drying up, wild fires and summer temperatures reaching the mid-90s, the PLHS decided to move the event indoors.
In 2013, the Palmer Lake Historical Society partnered with One Nation Walking Together, a local Native American charity in Colorado Springs, and moved the powwow indoors to the Colorado Springs Freedom Financial Services EXPO Center, now the Mortgage Solutions Financial EXPO Center. That year attendance approached 2,000 people. In 2014, attendance grew to almost 3,000 people, with 50 Native artist booths, 20 nonprofit booths, live wolf and birds of prey exhibits, Aztec Dancers, an Indian teaching lodge and several Native food vendors. In 2016, One Nation Walking Together became the principal sponsor of the powwow, which continues to add new activities, Native vendors, and family-oriented events. Over the years the small, lakeside powwow started by the Palmer Lake Historical Society has grown to one of the largest Indian festivals and powwows in the area. We hope to continue this cultural event into the future.
Before the term “powwow” became popular, various words were used to describe this cultural phenomenon. Some of these included: Celebration, Doing, Fair, Feast, Festival Gathering, Happening, Indian Dance, Rodeo, Show and Union. The term “powwow” is actually a North Eastern Woodland word belonging to the Narragansett Language and the closest English translation is “meeting.”
The modern day powwow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed in the early 19th Century. The term “Grass Dance” can get rather confusing because there is also a style of dancing called “Grass Dance” that became very popular during the reservation period in the mid 19th Century. The Grass Dance Societies were an opportunity for the warriors to re-enact deeds for all the members of the Tribe to witness.
The removal period increased the growth of the reservations and this soon gave rise to the modern powwow. This transition for Native Americans often put Tribes at odds with other Tribes they did not know and many Tribes that were bitter enemies found themselves very close neighbors. A compromise and compilation of traditions had to take place in order for the people to survive.
Many ceremonies and customs were outlawed during the reservation period. The Grass Dance being more social was one of the only events allowed. As so many Tribes were pushed together it was soon clear and necessary to transfer the traditions of the Grass Dance between Tribes. “Inter-Tribalism” began to emerge with the sharing of songs, dances, clothing, food and art. Gift giving and generosity became integral aspects of these early festivities and they are still with us today. Over time the phrase “Powwow” as a term for meeting or gathering became very popular and has been used widely to describe the cultural event since the mid 20th Century.
By the 1980s the Powwow had become extremely popular and even commercial. In some cases it became a great show for both the Native and Non-Native crowd. While there had been competition at powwows and competition powwows in the past, the rise of the 1980s brought about better prizes and better organization of the competition powwow. A new evolution could be seen across Indian Country that increased the interest in both the Native American culture and the powwow to both Native and non-Native people. As the 1990s came about, large casinos got in the act of promoting both competition and non-competition powwows to promote not only the most obvious but also the culture of the Tribe that owned or operated the casino.
Finally by the emergence of the 21st Century more Natives were calling for a return to the old ways and the earliest ways of the gathering. Soon the old terms and old ways started to appear more and more at both competition and non-competition events. To promote and get more interested in the old ways, many big money competition powwows have added new categories of dance and dress that is really the very old ways of dance and dress. With this they hope to create a renewed interest of the old ways.
But regardless of the term used to describe it – today’s gathering or powwow bases itself on the fundamental values common to Native Americans across North America: Honor, Respect, Tradition and Generosity. Along with their families, thousands of singers, dancers, and vendors follow the Powwow Trail all over the entire continent to share and celebrate the culture.
NATIVE HISTORY OF COLORADO SPRINGS
Long before the gold rush settlement of Colorado City, and before General Palmer arrived with his vision of a “Little London” for Colorado Springs, this area of Colorado was home to the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Apache peoples.
The Ute say “we have always lived here.” The tribe’s oral traditions speak to their creation occuring at Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is a centuries old gathering place for the Ute and other tribes. Indigenous artifacts dating up to 3,500 years ago found in this area, the Ute’s lack of migration history, and the historical fact that Ute are considered indigenous to Colorado, lend truth to the Ute’s oral history.
The Ute name for Pikes Peak is Tava. Tava is the first mountain along the Front Range to have the sun shine on it at dawn and Tava is situated in what is known to the Ute people as, “The Shining Mountains.” The Ute spent their summers there as nomadic hunter-gatherers. They would then travel via Ute Pass to visit the hot springs where they “made offerings to the spirits for good health and good hunting.” El Paso (Spanish for “the pass”) County was named for the Ute Pass Trail.
From the base of Tava the Ute would begin a journey eastward to hunt buffalo while often gathering in a sacred land now known as the Black Forest. The Black Forest sits at an elevation of almost 8000 feet and overlooks the prairie; so it was a perfect place for the Ute to gather for pre-hunt ceremonies. In fact, there is still evidence in the form of centuries old Culturally Modified Trees, that verify the Ute’s Black Forest presence.
POWWOW DANCES
Women’s Traditional Dance can be broken into two groups according to the type of regalia: buckskin and cloth. The oldest form of women’s dance style, is Buckskin. This is a dance of elegance and grace. The movement is smooth and flowing. The ladies wear fine, handcrafted buckskin dresses, decorated with intricate bead designs. Northern dresses are fully beaded on the shoulders, or cape. Southern ones, the beadwork is mainly used to accent. The women carry fringed shawls over one arm. Ladies Cloth is a Southern Traditional form of women’s dress. This style is danced by the Kiowas, Osage, Ponca, and others. The dance is slow and graceful, much like the Women’s Buckskin style. In either case, much like the Men’s Traditional Dance, there are many tribal and regional differences in the outfitting of this women’s style.
Men’s Northern Traditional Dance is a popular Northern style of dress and dance. The traditional style evolved from the well-known “old time Sioux” style of the early reservation period through the 1940’s. Although a clear distinction exists, one can see an obvious connection to the old-time Sioux Outfit, with the dancer drawing from this earlier style various elements to which he either adheres to or uses as a basis for his own interpretation. This form of dancing, which has evolved over the years, is the oldest form of Native American dancing. The movement in this style is one that is sometimes characterized as similar to a prairie chicken. The dancer is also said to be re-enacting the movement of a warrior searching for the enemy.
Men’s Southern Traditional Dance, often called the Straight Dance, is from Oklahoma. The regalia is a formal, tailored, prestigious form of Southern dance clothes. The overall effect is of reassuring solidity, with everything closely matched and coordinated. This dance has evolved from the Hethuska dances. It is believed that the Ponca created this style. The Hethuska are dances held by different societies. There are a lot of clothes to wear in the outfit, and accordingly the dance is slow and proud. The art of the Straight Dance is in the little, sometimes unnoticed things, both in the movement and the regalia. Smoothness, precision with the song, knowledge of dance etiquette, and a powerful sense of pride mark the outstanding Straight Dancer.
Oklahoma Feather Dance, or “fancy dance,” is one of the most popular style of dance and regalia seen at modern powwows. The fancy dance regalia, as such, has no tribal identity. The most obvious items in the fancy dance regalia are great amounts of loom-beaded sets of suspenders, belt cuffs, headband, and a set of armbands. The designs are usually matching in all items and of a rainbow feather or geometric design. Beaded medallions on the forehead and bustles are also quite common. Occasionally a breastplate will be used in place of the beaded suspenders or in conjunction with them. The other trademark for fancy dancers is the use of large feather bustles. Currently most bustles are color-coordinated with the beadwork by using large amounts of feather hackles dyed the appropriate colors. The dance style is of two types: a basic simple step while dancing around the drum and a “contest” step with fast and intricate footwork combined with a spinning up and down movement of the body.
The Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance is the newest form of women’s dance, and is quite athletic! Fancy Shawl is often called Northern Shawl, as it come from the Northern tribes along the US-Canadian border. The dancing and the bright colors are similar to the Men’s Fancy Dance. The ladies wear their shawls over their shoulders, and dance by jumping and spinning around, keeping time with the music. They mimic butterflies in flight, and the dance style is quite graceful and light. Emphasis is paid particularly to the shawls, with elaborate designs, appliqué, ribbon work, and painting. Long fringe hangs from the edges of the shawl.
The Jingle Dance regalia is also called a prayer dress. There are differences in the origins of the dress among the tribes. The dress was seen in a dream, as an object to bring healing to afflicted people. It comes from the Northern tribe Ojibwa, or Chippewa, along the Canadian border. Jingle dresses are decorated with rolled up snuff can lids that are hung with ribbon. The ribbon is then sewed to the dress and the jingles placed close enough so they can hit together, causing a beautiful sound. If one were to close their eyes as the Jingle dancer passes, it would sound as though it were raining!
The Grass Dance is a very popular style of dance today. Originally done as a warrior society dance, it has evolved over the years. It has further evolved into a highly competitive form of Northern dancing. The Grass dancer always stands out by virtue of two things: his dancing style and his regalia. The dancing has been described often by the words ‘gutsy’, ‘swinging’, ‘slick’, and ‘old-time.’ The regalia stands out by virtue of the almost complete absence of feathers. Aside from the roach feather, there are no bustles of any kind. The name “Grass Dance” comes from the custom of some tribes wearing braided grass in their belts. The unique parts of the Northern regalia are the shirt, trousers, and aprons, to which yarn fringe, sequins, and beaded rosettes and other designs are attached. The regalia makers are fond of using playing card designs-hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds. Hearts and rosettes are the most common. White fringe is preferred, however, gold, silver, and other light color fringe is also used. Bells are worn around the ankle. Mostly plain hard-soled or woodland soft-sole moccasins, and sneakers are worn.
Tiny Tots dance consists of dancers age 5 and under. The dancers are honored as the future of Native culture. As such, at many events they are not judged in a competition, as it is not wished to discourage the “future of the circle” from participating. The emphasis is placed on ensuring these youngsters enjoy their time in the circle and learn from being in the company of the older dancers and singers. Parents decide what style of regalia to clothe the young ones and they are encouraged by the parents, family members, and everyone at the powwow, to dance their best and watch the other dancers, while also learning the proper etiquette and customs from their elders.
The Hoop Dance is a storytelling dance, which incorporates from 1-40 hoops to create both static and dynamic shapes. These formations represent the movements of various animals and other storytelling elements. In its earliest form, the dance is believed to have been part of a healing ceremony designed to restore balance and harmony in the world. With no beginning or end, the hoop represents the never-ending circle of life. The hoops, typically made of reeds or wood, are used to create symbolic shapes, including butterflies, turtles, eagles, flowers, and snakes.
There are several tales of how the dance originated. Some say the Creator gave a series of wooden hoops and the “dance” to a dying man from the Northern Plains who wanted a gift to leave behind. Another story in the Southwest tells that the hoops were developed by cliff-dwellers for children to learn dexterity.
A more prominent legend has the Hoop Dance originating in the Anishinaabe culture, when an unearthly spirit was born to live amongst the people. The boy did not show any interest in typical boy activities such as running and hunting, preferring to be alone and watching animals. This caused his father to shun him and earned him the name Pukawiss: the disowned or unwanted. However, the boy continued to watch the movements of eagles, bears, snakes, and birds and before long was spinning like an eagle in flight, hopping through the grass like a rabbit, and created the Hoop Dance to teach the other Indians about the ways of the animals. Before long, Pukawiss was so popular that every village wanted to learn the dance.
Today, the Hoop Dance remains popular. It is generally performed by a solo dancer who begins with a single hoop, evoking the circle of life. Additional hoops are added representing other life elements, including humans, animals, wind, water, and seasons. The dance incorporates very rapid moves in which the hoops are made to interlock and extended from the body forming appendages such as wings and tails. Practiced by a number of tribes today, it has evolved over the years, becoming faster and incorporating many non-traditional influences. It has also become a highly competitive event, with the first World Hoop Dance Competition held at the New Mexico State Fair in 1991.
Gourd Dance is believed to have originated with the Kiowa tribe. Gourd Dances are often held to coincide with a powwow. The Gourd Dance has its own unique dance and history. Kiowa legend has it that when a young man was out alone he heard an unusual song coming from the other side of a hill. Investigating, he found the song was coming from a red wolf who was dancing on its hind legs. He listened to more songs through the night. The next morning the wolf told him to take the songs and dance back to the Kiowa people. The “howl” at the end of each Gourd Dance song is a tribute to the red wolf. The dance in the Kiowa language is called “Ti-ah pi-ah” which means “ready to go, ready to die.” The ceremony eventually spread to other tribes and societies. The Comanche and Cheyenne also have legends about the Gourd Dance.
The dance is performed by men but women can participate by dancing in place behind the men and outside the circular arena. The drum can be placed on the side or in the center of the circle and the dancers perform around the perimeter of the area, usually dancing in place. The dance is simple, with the participants lifting their heels with the beat of the drum and shaking their rattles. Dress is also not elaborate, with sashes being worn by the dancers, around the waist or draped around the neck, reaching the ground.
Beginning in 1890 the United States government began to actively enforce bans on these dances and by the 1930s it was out of practice. However, several tribes have resurrected the dance today. Some gourd societies do not distinguish race as a criteria for joining, even allowing non-Native Americans to be inducted into their gourd societies. However, the Kiowa allow only members which are half blood or more. During powwows today, gourd dancing generally occurs before the Grand Entry. The rattles used in powwows are not made of a gourd; but rather a tin or silver cylinder filled with beads on a beaded handle.