TYPES OF SONGS AND DANCES
The songs and rhythms of Pow Wow have traveled through many generations.
As Pow Wow celebrations have grown throughout North America,
the informal gatherings of people around the drum have evolved
into groups that sing and play together on a regular basis.
Pow Wows usually feature two host groups, a Northern Drum and
a Southern Drum, representing the styles of the Northern (often
Canadian) plains tribes, and those of the more southern tribes.
One of the most easily recognized differences between the two
styles is the singing range. The northern style is high pitched,
while the southern style is sung in a lower, more full-voiced
register.
CAHUILLA BIRD SONGS AND DANCES
The bird songs and dances of the Cahuilla Indians chronicle
the experiences and responses of the Cahuilla people as they
migrated south. Through bird metaphor and allegory, the songs
also act as lessons that instruct tribal members about stages
in their lives. They are reminded that there is a proper
time to “leave the nest” and start a family;
that parents must let go of their maturing children.
The original Cahuilla Bird Songs were composed of more than
300 pieces that formed a cycle of stories. Songs were sung
in a precise order that accurately accounted for the chronology
of the migration. In a traditional setting where the complete
cycle of songs were sung, the singing began at dusk symbolizing
the beginning of the journey and ended at dawn - symbolic of
the return home.
Protocol for singing these songs is less strict in structure
than some Native American traditions where only specially designated
individuals are allowed to perform certain ceremonies. Today,
tribal descendants with singing talent are trained to sing
the songs. Unlike many Native American dances, bird songs use
no drums for accompaniment. Rhythm is supplied by gourd or
tortoise-shell rattles filled with palm seeds.
GOURD DANCING
Gourd dancing is not actually a Pow Wow dance style, but is
more of a separate type of dance. The songs originated as
part of the Cheyenne Bow Society. Songs were later adapted
by the Kiowa nation, as part of their ceremony celebrating
the summer blooming of the red skunk berries. The dance survived
in secret during the time tribal religious dances and ceremonies
were outlawed by the U.S. Government. It reappeared during
the 1940’s when the Kiowa elders performed it for the
American Indian Exposition in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
It has grown in popularity since then, and is now danced by
many other tribes after the Kiowa have given it to them. There
is a strict brotherhood, called societies, among dancers and
signers of the gourd dance. Traditionally, gourd dancing is performed prior to the Grand
Entry, when the drum sings gourd songs for the dancers as they
dance.
During the first song, dancers remain seated and shake their
rattles in time to the song. During the second time through
the song, dancers rise and dance in place, flexing their knees
and shaking their rattles in time to the drumbeat. When three
hard beats are introduced in the song, dancers make a slight
bow and take small steps into the center of the arena where
they remain dancing in place until song’s end. Only gourd
dancers may dance a gourd dance, but the regalia of a gourd
dancer is not too elaborate. It usually consists of a long
sleeve shirt and pants, a gourd sash or vest, and a rattle.
MEN’S NORTHERN TRADITIONAL
The Men's Northern Traditional style of dance is the oldest
form of dance in Indian culture. Traditional dancers would “dance
out” the story of a battle for those who had not been
there or returning hunters would dance their tale of tracking
an enemy or prey. The regalia has no prescribed look except
for the bustle worn on the lower back. Traditional dancers
never dance backwards as they perform, as this would be perceived
as retreat. Also, they never turn in a full circle while
dancing.
MEN’S GRASS DANCE
Several tribes dance their own version of the Grass Dance,
with each of them having different ideas as to the origin.
For some, it is an expression of the waving movement of the
grass on a windy day. Another tribe remembers dancing in
order to flatten out the long prairie grasses and try to
kick stones out of the way in preparation for a ceremony.
Still others think it originated to celebrate victory over
an enemy.
Regalia is decorated with long, colorful fringes,
which sway gracefully with the movement of the grass of the
prairie. Dancers are expected to keep their heads moving.
The purpose of this movement is to keep the roach crest feathers
spinning. To keep the feathers moving constantly is one sign
of a good dancer.
MEN’S FANCY DANCE
The Men’s Fancy Dance is the brightest and fastest of
men’s dance styles. It originated in Oklahoma in the
early 1900s when promoters of wild west shows encouraged Indian
dancers to embellish their outfits and “dance fancy” for
spectators.
The elaborate regalia features bright bustles,
one at the top of the back and a larger one at the bottom of
the back. It is based on the standard double step of the Traditional
and Grass Dance, but it takes off from there with fancy footwork,
increased speed, and acrobatic steps. Dancers must keep up
with the music and follow the changing beat of the drum. Watch
these dancers to see if they stop on the last beat of the drum.
MEN’S CHICKEN DANCE
The Men’s Chicken Dance originated with the Blackfoot
people and is representative of the plains prairie chicken’s
mating dance. The dance is characterized by jerking of the
neck and a pecking like motion of the head, tapping on the
ground, slow spinning movements, and a stepping motion in a
forward direction.
MEN’S SOUTHERN STRAIGHT
The Men’s Southern Straight Dance, also knows as Southern
Traditional, is the formal and original dance of most of the
Oklahoma tribes. It is a dignified style, where the dancers
keep a steady flowing pace that is not interrupted with fancy
moves or extra footwork. Straight dancers wear long shirts,
leggings, wide belts, and thick leather drops. Each man carries
a fan in his left hand and a beaded pointing stick in his right
that he uses to follow a “trail”.
The term “Straight” in
a Pow Wow context refers as much to the act of following a trail,
dance stick in hand, as it does to the lack of a back bustle.
Dancers are judged on their ability to stay in step with the
beat and to look very convincing in their search.
WOMEN’S NORTHERN TRADITIONAL DANCE
The Women’s Northern Traditional style is a dance of grace and elegance. Dresses can be either buckskin or cloth and can vary a great deal from one dancer to the next. The dancing itself also varies widely, based on the tribe represented.
Northern Plains Traditional dancers are often referred to as “stationary”; dancers because they remain stationary and bounce in one place in time with the beat of the drum. Their feet should never completely leave the ground, which symbolizes the close bonds between women and their Mother, the Earth. Dancers from the northern tribes walk-around the arena is a double-step style similar to the men’s style. Both Stationary and Walk-Around style dancers raise their fan during the honor beats and sway their fringe dresses and shawls in time with the beat of the drum.
WOMEN’S SOUTHERN TRADITIONAL DANCE
The Women’s Southern Traditional style of dance is similar to Women’s Northern Traditional in the way the dance is performed, but there are differences. Southern Dancers move in clockwise circles, stepping to a slightly slower rhythm. Another difference; Southern Dancers bow at the waist and turn from side to side during the honor beats, while Northern Dancers raise their fans.
Women’s Traditional southern dancers wear buckskin or cloth dresses with matching leggings, purses, beaded moccasins, and necklaces or bone breastplates. Feathers and beadwork are worn in the hair. A folded shawl over the left arm completes the regalia, as the long fringes sway in harmony with their steps to the beat of the drum.
Both Northern and Southern Traditional styles wear regalia with a traditional concentration, integrating pieces that traditional Native women wore and used in daily work, such as awl cases and knife pouches.
WOMEN’S JINGLE DRESS DANCE
The Jingle Dress Dance originated with the Ojibwa nation. It’s
a medicine dance that has regained popularity and is now a
common category at most Pow Wows. The dress is covered with
tin cones made from snuff tin covers. The Contemporary Jingle
Dress is decorated with ribbon, appliqué, and beadwork
with matching leggings, moccasins, purse, and hair ornaments.
Feathers and plumes are worn and a fan is carried and raised
during the honor beats of the song. The Traditional Jingle
Dress is primarily black and has 365 cones representing each
day of the year.
Traditional Jingle dancers do not wear plumes
and don’t carry a fan. They raise their hands on the
honor beats in order to receive healing. Dancers are expected
to stop precisely when the music does with both feet on the
ground.
WOMEN’S FANCY SHAWL DANCE
The Fancy Shawl Dance is not a traditional women’s dance
style. It is a relatively new addition to the dance competition
created in the early 50’s and 60’s. Fancy Shawl
Dance regalia consists of a decorative knee-length cloth dress,
beaded moccasins with matching leggings, and a fringed shawl
draped over the shoulders. Footwork is the chief element of
the dance. Fancy Shawl Dancers must follow the changing beat
of the drum and stop when the song ends with both feet on the
ground.
TINY TOTS DANCE
The Tiny Tots dance includes young children, ages 5 and under,
who are just learning to dance. All children are encouraged
to learn to dance and begin competing as soon as they are
able to walk. The inclusion of youngsters in the Pow Wow dances
ensures that the next generation carries on the Pow Wow tradition
- and work to become the champion Pow Wow dancers of tomorrow! |