Native American Pow Wow

Short History of the Native American Pow Wow

Description of Dances and Dance Regalia

Guidelines for Visitors to Southern Pow Wows

Assorted Vocabulary of
Pow Wow Dress and Ritual

Digital Bibliography of Web and Print Resources

Native American ceremonies, commonly known as pow wows, have evolved from a formal ceremony of the past into a modern blend of dance, family reunion, and festival. Pow wows are famous for their pageantry of colors and dance which have been adapted and changed since their beginnings into a bright, fast, and exciting event geared towards Native Americans and visitors alike.

Today pow wows are held all across the North American continent, from small towns such as White Eagle, Oklahoma, to some of the largest, such as Los Angeles, California. They can take place anywhere from cow pastures to convention centers, and occur year round. These festivals last only one weekend, but usually draw Native Americans and visitors from hundreds and even thousands of miles away.

There is a reason for the hours of travel, a reason that deals with who you are; what you feel and what you believe. Some come to these celebrations to “contest,” some come to sing songs, some come to see relatives and friends, and some come for the atmosphere. A pow wow makes people feel good, a feeling that is mental and physical. For this reason, pow wows spread across the plains quickly and today serve as one of the main cultural activities of Native Americans.