Civilisations d'Amérique du Nord

		Civilisations d'Amérique du Nord - Fiche élève 2

POW-WOWS

A. Introduction

1. Read the following text.

Pow-wows are Indian ceremonies which in the past were very formal but which today have become a modern mixture of dance, family reunion, and festival. Pow-wows are exciting events for all visitors. They take place across the North American continent, in small towns as well as in big cities. They last only one weekend, but attract Native Americans and visitors from hundreds and even thousands of miles away. Some come to these celebrations to “contest”, some come to sing songs, some come to see relatives and friends, and some come for the atmosphere. A pow-wow makes people feel good, a feeling that is mental and physical. For this reason, pow-wows today serve as one of the main cultural activities of Native Americans.

2. Log on Southern Pow Wows and find about the history of pow-wows.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3081/

3. Report to the class.

B. Working in class

1. Read the following text.

Etiquette for visitors and newcomers
Bring your own chair when attending pow-wows, because public seating is the exception rather than the rule.
Do not sit on the benches around the arena. They are reserved for the dancers only.
Ask permission before taking pictures of dancers. Many people are sensitive about pictures, so it is always good to be on the safe side and ask.
Donate money to the drum. This is done during a blanket dance, when a blanket will be laid out on the ground and a song, or songs, will be sung. It is customary to place a dollar bill (or more if you wish) on the blanket and dance the rest of that song, regardless of if you are dressed or not.
Always listen to the Master of Ceremony (MC). He will give all of the information you need. Any questions you have can be answered by him.
Always stand during special songs. This includes Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Veteran Songs, Memorial Songs, Prayer Songs, or any other song that the MC designates. It is also customary to remove any hats that you have on for the duration of that song.
Remember you are a guest. Have fun, ask questions and meet people. Everyone there is welcome!

2. What should visitors do, or not do, during a pow-wow? Use “should/shouldn’t”, “ought to”, “had better/had better not”, “be allowed to”.

C. Homework

Read the following “Etiquettes”. Write a paragraph explaining what Dancers, Drummers and Singers should/shouldn’t do.
You can also find more information on the following site.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3081/

Etiquette for Dancers
Never come to a pow-wow drunk or bring alcohol!
Be on time, dressed and ready to go before Grand Entry. It is a bad habit not to make Grand Entry, and may lose you points if you are contesting!
Place your blanket on the bench you want to sit at ahead of time. Never sit on someone else’s blanket without their permission.
Dance as many dances as you can. It is in bad taste to dance only a few of the dances. At Formal War Dances, you will not be allowed to take a break until everyone does.
Give respect to the Head Man and Lady. Don’t begin dancing until they do, and honor them with a dollar bill given to them in a handshake.
If you wish to honor a person, place a gift at their feet while they are dancing. If you are honored in this way, dance in place by your gift until the Arena Director or another person picks it up off of the ground and gives it to you. Never pick it up yourself.
If you drop some part of your regalia, don’t pick it up! Dance in place beside it until the Arena Director picks it up for you. You will probably be asked to give something for its return to you. All dropped articles belong to the Arena Director. When an Eagle feather is dropped, the pow-wow is stopped and a ceremony is performed to pick it up. An elder is asked to pick up the feather, and he will keep the feather.
In a Two Step, it is ladies’ choice. If you refuse to dance with the first person who asks you, you must give her at least five or ten dollars (the MC will usually say). The same rule applies to a hat or shawl dance.

Etiquette for the Drum and Singers
Always ask the Head Singer to sit at a drum. Many times drums are closed, meaning that the Head Singer has chosen who is to sit at the drum. You can not argue with his decision.
Ladies are not allowed to sit in the first row of a drum. They may not strike the drum, but are allowed to sing, sitting behind their husband or the man who asked her to sing.
Know the songs you are to sing. If you ask to be on a drum, the Head Singer must assume that you can sing all the songs he knows. Be prepared.
Any gift given to the drum is first given to the Head Singer. It is his job to then divide up the gift to the rest of the drum as he sees fit.
Never sing too loud or overbeat. Mistakes such as these are forgiven with a monetary contribution to the Head Singer.
Everything goes around the drum in one direction, depending on the tribe the drum belongs to. Do not pass things over the drum.
Always sing your best. Enjoy yourself, and know that without the drum, there is no pow-wow.