Pow wow “bending of the knees”
Photo by Grace Dickinson
By Hank Bailey
Sun contributor
What is Native American Dancing? This question was put to me and I was asked to explain it. What I will speak of is the Hank Bailey version of Pow Wow Dancing. First I would like to say that I do not consider myself an expert on the subject. I am 67 years of age and I am an Odawa (Ottawa) citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians. Although I have been around the Pow Wow dance circles since the 1970s I have only been dancing since the late 1990s. When it comes to Pow Wow dancing there is so very much to learn because of the stories that come with most everything involved. The words Pow Wow have become known throughout Indian Country as a time to come and celebrate life, your culture, families, drumming/singing, styles of dance, food, and trade items. This celebration of life is used as a way to come and participate even if you are not able to sing or dance. The best part is being able to meet old friends and to make new ones.
I am told that in my culture the Anishinaabek call the Pow Wow “Jingtamok”. Which means simply “bending of the knees”. There has always been confusion about the Jingtamok or Pow Wow. The confusion stems from the fact that there are strict protocols around the dance arena and the way things are done. Because of this some people believe Pow Wows are sacred ceremonies. The fact is these songs and dances have been going on for thousands of years. So they are sacred but the time is of celebration. Certain things that take place in the pow wows have to be done traditionally. Because they are always done in a specific way this leads to the confusion of ceremony vs celebration. If one understands that Respect is the word of the day you will get along just fine at your first Pow Wow. The great thing about these celebrations is that everyone is welcome to come and participate regardless of who or where they are from.
All of these celebrations have a Master of Ceremonies who will let everyone at the event know what is expected, such as times when pictures cannot be taken. Regarding respect, do not touch anyone’s regalia without asking and do not be offended if you are asked not to touch something. If you want individual pictures ask the person and most likely they will be happy to have their picture taken. One of the reasons I believe everyone is welcome stems from the fact that each person walking around was part of a clan at some point in their history. I happen to be Black Wolf Clan.
Tribal dancers that participate, many times have traveled hundreds of miles and across several states to come and dance. With this influx of different cultures coming into the pow wows it makes for a very interesting and exciting time for all. New friends, new dance moves, new songs from all the different drums that come from other tribal nations.
The songs, if beginners are trying to understand what is being said, can surely be confusing. The confusion stems from the coming together of many different tribes to these pow wows each with their own language and customs. You could imagine trying to exchange and learn new songs from drums/singers who come if they speak a whole different language. Throughout the ages what was worked out was songs that did not use the language but instead used chants. Some of the more modern songs have a few individual tribal words in them from the particular tribe that made the song. Just as our people have had to be adaptable in life, the same goes for our dance regalia which we sometimes refer to as “our outfits”. Dance regalia and songs also change slightly through time and experiences.
If you notice at pow wows the drums usually sit in the center area of the Sacred Circle (dance arena). The drum, if you listen, sounds like a heartbeat. Native people refer to it as the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The heart sits pretty close to the center of our body. Therefore the drum sits in the middle of the Sacred Circle the center of all physical, spiritual, happenings that take place. Many things we do in our lives and around the pow wow circle mimic what we see in nature. If one looks closely around the pow wow such connections can be found everywhere. Because this sacred circle that we dance in could also can be looked at as the circle of life, you can now see that there are endless nuances one can find around a pow wow celebration. This is why I feel no person can truly be an expert on what goes on at these events. It is a true celebration of life because so many little special things are taking place there. These individual special events are what make a pow wow something that people will want to do whenever and wherever they can.
For first timers at a Pow Wow there are certain things to know that will help to make their experience a good time and sometimes something very special. First thing to know is that everyone is welcome at these celebrations. This is why the participants are going through all of the work, expense, and time to be there. Everyone there in dance regalia want to show it off, teach about it, and show their dance moves. When around the dance arena it is helpful to listen to the Master of Ceremonies as he/she will instruct the crowd on what is happening and importantly when NOT to take pictures. There are times during the pow wow when certain things happen that are done in a very respectful ceremonial way, again the MC will help the crowd know what is happening.
As dancers, we want to show our individual dance regalia and dance styles. The time and effort, not to mention the expense, involved in creating each piece of each outfit is immense. If we are drummers/singers we want to show our skill at various songs. As with any very good singing it requires years and years, hours and hours of practice. Around the Pow Wow events there are many individuals with special skills. You have vendors selling food and various items as well as handcrafted items. It takes years of participation to learn how to do a good job as an Arena Director, MC, Head Veteran, and other duties needed to have a pow wow run in a smooth way. In our way of thinking it is always best to do it “in a good way”. As you can imagine “in a good way” means many good things that can be big and small but all important. (For more on what it means to “Walk in a Good Way”, visit NatureChange.org and select April 2017 from Archives at bottom right hand corner. Select the article “Walking in a Good Way”).
Well as you see, I have been talking for some time and have not even gotten to my own regalia and dance style. It would take more space than I have to explain each piece of my outfit. My dance style is called Men’s Traditional Dancing. Other styles you will see at the pow wow are Women’s Traditional Dance, Men’s Fancy Dance, Fancy Shawl Dancers, Grass Dancers, and Jingle Dress Dancers. The styles mentioned here are what you generally see in the mid-west and eastern United States. There are also some other variations of dance in more western and northern states.
I want to mention a bit about what native people have seen in movies over the years and especially movies of Native Americans dancing. We’ve always kind of laughed at the dancing portrayed in these shows. It shows us dancing in a very aggressive way, just stomping hard on the ground to make the dust fly. What we are actually taught about dance is; because of our respect for Mother Earth we are told to always walk softly on our mother. This means to try to do no harm to her intentionally in everyday life, “walk softly”. With this in mind that is how we dance. We try to step lightly and always keep one foot in contact with our Mother each and every dance step.
When it comes to the spiritual part of dancing I can only say that it has its own place with each dancer. I know as a dancer I have been brought to many different heights of spirituality during my years of dancing. I can say without being ashamed that I have been brought to tears during dances. I have felt so good while dancing it seemed like my feet were not even touching the ground. The emotions I have experienced in and around the sacred circle are beautiful and very real. The love, connection to my past and present, spiritual feelings, and joy keep me coming back to the Circle. Whoever tried to eliminate our teachings and way of life was wrong and it should be known that for those that listen there are many good things to learn.
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians holds their annual pow wow Aug. 19-20 in Peshawbestown. Visit GTBIndians.org for more information.
