Summer is Matusuri season here in Japan, but back home its Pow Wow season! I know a lot of you check this blog to see what's going on in Japan, but August 1st marked my one year anniversary of coming here (although at times I feel as though I've been here infinately longer), and I'm starting to find it difficult to remember what my life was like back home consisted of. The answer: Pow Wows!
Fancy Dancers, including my favorite, Thunder Lovitt (left).
If you're stuck stateside feeling sorry for the lack of cultural adventures available to you, and you've never been to a pow wow, I highly recommend you find one and go! The color and pageantry of the dancers, in full regalia, rhythmically moving to the beat of the tribal drum as their jingling bells mix with the and passionate song of the drum circle singers is something that will fill you with awe, admiration and inspiration for the Native culture of the Americas.
Girl's Fancy dancer, lost in the music.
If, like me, you have native ancestors and feel drawn to know more about them, Pow Wows are the place to meet the people that can clue you in.
Northern Traditional dancer
The best part about Pow Wow's is the dancing! Click here to see one of the best dancers on the Pow Wow circuit, Wade Baker, tearin' it up with the grass dance at the National Pow Wow in D.C.
6 comments:
wow...
nice..and really very beautiful costume there....
wow. nice pow wow pictures. i like to see the festival too in the future. bet you miss home, don't you ?
zbjernak: Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog :) Their regalia is stunning...So colorful and vivid! (However natives never call these outfits 'costumes' because that word denotes artificiality, while they feel their regalia are a ongoing part of their lives). Many of them are decorated with intricate, hand-sown beadwork that sparkles in the sunlight.I hope someday you will get a chance to see a Pow-Wow!
Patrick, You too! Do you think someday your travels will take you to America? I don't really miss home. My adventures in Japan keep me happy! Of course I miss my family and friends, and I wish they could experience Japan first-hand, rather than thru my blog! But I am happy here! How about you? Do you miss home? You've been here for four years! I've only been here one...
Elisa: Really!? Te gusta?! I didnt have a digital camera when i tool these photos...
EVERYONE :) Did you all watch the video? What do you think of the dance?
Hey it's Jasper! hehe, He's not a straight dancer, Thats what you call a northern tradish. Straight dancers don't wear the bustles. Nice pictures though.
J-LittleBear
Thanks J-LittleBear! Sorry for mistake. I wonder what the difference is...Maybe I'll get to go to some pow-wows this year and figure it out! (^_<) I'm in the Washington, DC area. Have any suggestions?
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