Powwow

What Makes a Powwow?

Essential elements of the powwow include circles, the drum, singers, dancers, head staff and emcee, and veterans. Circles are important to connect the powwow to indigenous identity. The drum is surrounded by the singers, who form two circles. The women constitute the next circle, followed by the dancers. The elders surround the dancers, with the veterans surrounding the elders. The spirits/spirit world is the final outside circle.

Representative of the nature of life, both human and mythological, cyclical ideas are present in everything from agriculture to song. Circles appear in the powwow beginning with the arena, the central location for dancing and drumming. The arena houses other concentric forms such as the drum, and in the case of an outdoor powwow, the arbor, under which many drums may be located.

The drum has often been referred to as the “heartbeat of the [Indian] nation.” The phrase to sit on a drum means to sing and drum at a powwow. Drumming teams are called singers. All members of the drumming team make up “the drum.” In powwow parlance, the drum also refers to the physical drum itself, but rather describes the physical drum, the singers/drummers who sit on the drum, and the ritual actions they perform. There may be anywhere from six to 12 singers sitting on a drum.

There are typically two styles of drums, referred to as northern and southern styles. There are subtle differences in song pattern and drumming patterns, as well as the obvious regional origins that mark the two styles. The northern style is usually higher in pitch and faster in beat. The southern style is usually lower in pitch and slower in beat. The styles originated regionally, but today they are found in all regions of the United States.

Specific roles are necessary for the functioning of a powwow. These roles are described in no particular order of importance. The arena director is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and proper actions of others in and around the arena. The master of ceremonies, or emcee, keeps the powwow moving. He may inform spectators and non-Natives attending the powwow of appropriate behavior, tribal knowledge, and tradition. He may also tell stories and histories, as well as keep the powwow moving by announcing dances that are forthcoming and which drum is in rotation to perform the next song.

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