 THE AUSTIN POWWOW
The Annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival is the nation's largest annual school event and
the largest American Indian annual gathering in Texas.
For the last several years, the event draws more than 50,000 people for a single-day gathering of traditional American Indian dancing, singing, arts, crafts, foods and traditional/contemporary entertainment.
It was created in 1992 by a group of less than a dozen parents
who wanted to showcase Indian dances and arts for their children. They
expected a couple hundred family and friends to show up. Instead, more
than 2,000 people packed the McCallum High School gym. Austin school officials
were so impressed that they offered free use of a larger facility the next
year.
The event has become one of Texas' most popular and cherished Fall
Festivals.
The 2010 event is scheduled for
It is always scheduled on the
"2010" marks our 19th year!
In compliance with the policies of
NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS,
WHAT IS A POWWOW?
A Powwow is generally an American Indian Dance Competition that lasts one or more days.
Dancers who are from many different Tribes/Nations will compete for cash prizes in several categories.
Many Powwows also feature arts and crafts vendors who display and sell a variety of handmade items, such as pottery, baskets and jewelry.
By the way, Powwows are considered both a sacred and social event for traditional Indian families.
There are Powwows that holds a benefit for a certain tribe member or family, they do not have competition or contest at these Benefit Powwows.
It is a time to renew one's bond with the beliefs and traditions of one's ancestors.
Also, there is a Family-Type Powwow for a time to enjoy the company of families and friends.
DEFINITION:
A pow-wow (also powwow or pow wow or pau wau) is a gathering of North America's Native people.
The word derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader".
The word powwow originates from the Algonquian word pau wau.
It refers to a gathering that includes singing, dancing, feasting and socializing.
The powwow event is also a way to remember heritage, culture, and traditions amongst Aboriginal People.
The powwow is practiced across North America.
HISTORY:
The Poncas were the first to practice this ceremony, which they call the Hethuska, as early as 1804.
They passed the Hethuska to the Kaw, and they in turn gave the dance to the Osage, who named it the "Inlonschka".
The Omaha then aquired the ceremony and spread it north to the Lakota (Sioux) tribe who popularized it on reservations in the late 1890's.
In this time, the "Omaha", or "Grass" dance as it was then called, spread faster than the more famous Ghost Dance of the same time.
Unlike ceremonial dances of other tribes, the Grass dancers danced for the purpose of dancing itself, instead of as a religious ceremony.
In the 1920's, some pow wows became "inter-tribal," meaning that they were open for all tribes to attend, and the practice of "contesting" began.
Contesting involves dance competitions that may last all weekend, taking into account how often dancers dance as well as how well they may dance,in order to give out prizes that range into thousands of dollars.
World War II brought a revival to the pow wow world, and ever since pow wows have been growing, constantly changing and adapting to modern ways, while retaining their cultural roots.
Brighter colors, more motions and even a new style of dance has emerged from the passage of time.
The Native American culture is not dead and fixed under the glass of a museum, but instead it is a living culture, retaining its' heritage and advancing with the times.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The Austin Powwow is
Unlike many other American Indian powwows, organizers of the Austin event refuse to charge people to attend their annual gathering.
Why? Because they want even large families to be able to attend the day long celebration of American Indian culture.
This is the one real opportunity that most Texans have to see real American Indian traditions and culture in action.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
In order to put on the event, The Great Promise and The Austin Powwow Committee has to raise tens of thousands of dollars.
Fortunately, many businesses, individuals and groups agree that The Austin Powwow is an important tool for teaching children, students and adults about American Indian cultures and traditions, and they make generous donations of their time, money and other resources.
Need more Information?
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SPECTATOR RULES:
1. Enjoy yourself as you watch the dancers, but do not block the
aisles and stay off of the rails. Let others enjoy the powwow too.
2. Do not touch the dancers or their regalia (outfits). Not only
are the feathers fragile, they also are considered sacred objects.
3. Come down and dance if the announcer invites you, but don't
wear your shoes! Take them off first. Unless you are wearing sneakers,
you cannot go onto the floor in shoes.
4. Feel free to shoot photographs and videotape
5. Don't shoot any pictures if the arena director
6. Don't use flash photography during the competition phase of
the powwow. You may shoot with flash during intertribal or friendly dances,
but don't shoot with flash when dancers are competing. There is big prize
money at stake.
7. Do not smoke in the arena or on the festival grounds. This
is an Austin Independent School District facility, and their rules forbid
pets and tobacco. (Only service animals for the impaired are allowed.)
Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are prohibited, as they are at all
powwows and traditional Indian events.
8. No one, other than the powwow organizers and sponsors, is allowed
to pass out any type of brochures or literature on Burger Center grounds.
The only exception is information distributed by those who have paid for
vendor space. Even then, organizers reserve the right to prohibit distribution
of any and all material they feel is inappropriate for this event.
9. From time to time, you will notice that there is a call for
a special "blanket dance." This is a powwow tradition in which the audience
shows its appreciation for the hosts and drums. Although this is a free
event, such donations help defray the expenses involved.
10. Do be respectful of American Indian traditions and stand when
asked to do so by the announcer.
11. Please pick up your own litter and throw it in the trash.
Make it your goal to pick up at least one more piece of trash as a favor
to others. Thanks.
12. Start telling everyone about this year's event.
If you know individuals or companies
Our small group always |
Background Music By; Northern Drums YOUNG GREY HORSE |