|
Interesting
At first glance and thought, one may think that is a rather strange and perhaps even stupid question.
But, Jac605, it is actually a very good question as our Culture progesses into this New Century.
Obviously the "powwow" has changed over the past 110 years - that is a given. But for many of us older folks, the "powwow" has greatly changed in just the past 10 years. Many of us have seen the "powwow" become so comercial that it is barely distinguishable from a typical "something-american festival." Sad but very true with many events across the country.
Its meaning to Native American Life is almost as vast as Native American Life itself. Explanation - it is not the one thought or few thoughts that it was many, many years ago.
Examples:
1. For some it is Religion and Ceremony.
2. For some it is an integral part of their culture - but not religious.
3. For some it is just a show of Culture to other Cultures since powwows are social and open to the public.
4. For some Traders & Vendors & Dancers it is just a part of their job as this is what they do for a living.
These are just four simple examples - we could go on and list literally hundreds of things that a powwow means to one's life and even Native American Life in general.
|