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why bells
The orgin of the modern pow wow comes from the old time Men's Warrior Societies. A long time ago such a Society would go around the camp circle and select new young members.
As new members they would have to prove themselves worthy of being a member through their deeds. Before they left they were given protection and prayers for their safety. One time this young man refused the protection and said he wanted to be wounded.
It was explained to him the purpose of the medicine/protection but he still refused it. So the medicine man told him that wherever he was wounded that he would tie a bell on his body at the location of his wound. We already had contact with the whiteman and that is where the bell came from.
Upon their return the various Societies would sponsor a victory dance. During the victory dance they would dance out their deeds. This young man was wounded on the ankle and that is location where the medicine man tied the bell.
People liked the sound that the bell made and it spread from there. There is a reason for everything we wear when we dance. An example is the head roach, which was a war throphy taken from a certian tribe and worn during a victory dance a long time ago (1875).
I've always thought it was good that this young man was wounded on the ankle and not some other location on his body? hahahahahaha Think about it!
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