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powwowbum49 · 07-03-2003, 04:31 AM

Ladies, from my experience Gourd dancing in the IL, IN, OH, MI area tends to run in cycles where it gains in popularity and then several years later slips again. Right now it is on a high mark and seems to be spreading. I applaud you ladies for your interest, support and most off all respect of a form of dancing that does not come from your own people. You have said some fine words here and I just want to add a few things as to what I have been taught over the years.

I am not Kiowa but have been taken in by a couple of different Kiowa families...I state this because IMHO even though several tribes claim to be the origin for gourd dancing I believe the Kiowa can claim that right. The Kiowa have several different gourd dance societies with Kiowa Gourd clan being the oldest and most 'traditional' (for lack of a better term). Many of the members of this clan are not veterans and this is the same for all the others as well...or at least to my knowledge. Military service is not required to gourd dance.

Now, as for the 'not taking pictures of gourd dancers' I can honestly say I have never seen this ask by any committee or MC at any dance I have attended, and I for one see no reason it should be. Gourd dance is not a ceremony but instead is a dance that is most often performed in a public welcoming location. I am not sure why someone would take a picture of gourd dancing other then someone they knew was out there, since it is not the most flashy of dances, but nonetheless I see no reason to prevent someone from snapping a PIC if they so desire.

I like the point (or at least I think this was the point) about the committee's making time for gourd dance. I know in this area often gourd dance is neglected for fear of boring the spectators to death. The downside is that most dances around here are put on at fairgrounds and those have to be rented and insurance purchased for the event and thus the committee's need the dollars the spectators provide, so all to often gourd dance is pushed to the side or only give a short window to be held. Another reason I see is because the dance is small and only has a Northern drum there thus no one to sing for those gourd dancers that might be in attendance. This all is changing with more gourd dancers being in the area and the realization by committee's that the dance is put on for the participants and not the spectators.

Just my opinions...take them or leave them

07-03-2003, 04:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 812	Ladies, from my experience Gourd dancing in the IL, IN, OH, MI area tends to run in cycles where it gains in popularity and then several years later slips again. Right now it is on a high mark and seems to be spreading. I applaud you ladies for your interest, support and most off all respect of a form of dancing that does not come from your own people. You have said some fine words here and I just want to add a few things as to what I have been taught over the years. I am not Kiowa but have been taken in by a couple of different Kiowa families...I state this because IMHO even though several tribes claim to be the origin for gourd dancing I believe the Kiowa can claim that right. The Kiowa have several different gourd dance societies with Kiowa Gourd clan being the oldest and most 'traditional' (for lack of a better term). Many of the members of this clan are not veterans and this is the same for all the others as well...or at least to my knowledge. Military service is not required to gourd dance. Now, as for the 'not taking pictures of gourd dancers' I can honestly say I have never seen this ask by any committee or MC at any dance I have attended, and I for one see no reason it should be. Gourd dance is not a ceremony but instead is a dance that is most often performed in a public welcoming location. I am not sure why someone would take a picture of gourd dancing other then someone they knew was out there, since it is not the most flashy of dances, but nonetheless I see no reason to prevent someone from snapping a PIC if they so desire. I like the point (or at least I think this was the point) about the committee's making time for gourd dance. I know in this area often gourd dance is neglected for fear of boring the spectators to death. The downside is that most dances around here are put on at fairgrounds and those have to be rented and insurance purchased for the event and thus the committee's need the dollars the spectators provide, so all to often gourd dance is pushed to the side or only give a short window to be held. Another reason I see is because the dance is small and only has a Northern drum there thus no one to sing for those gourd dancers that might be in attendance. This all is changing with more gourd dancers being in the area and the realization by committee's that the dance is put on for the participants and not the spectators. Just my opinions...take them or leave them __________________ PB49 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.