Creewoman05

I have always wondered, and wanted to ask in a respectful way.

Care to enlighten some, oh wait, hey that's me who is wondering?

Josiah

Gourd Dance is a Man's Dance.

It has spread out onto the plains since its resurection in the Late 1950's

Here in Oklahoma it is held with High regard and respect

Several Tribes claim to have Gourd Danced in one form or another in the far past.
But its the Kiowa that have kept it alive over the years, they have made sure the songs were kept alive and even new ones have been written.

The dance here in Oklahoma is before the powwow starts usually about 2:00 pm in the afternoon untill supper
Usually another session after supper up to Grand Entry

This is typical for Oklahoma Powwows, There will be variations elsewhere...

For the History of the Dance:
A history of the Gourd Dance.

There are several Kiowa Gourd Dances around Carnegie Oklahoma during the 4th of July Week
Typically 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July
This is where you will actually witness the Dance as it should be done.

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Josiah

http://www.powwows.com/galleries/sho...hp?photo=13362

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Josiah

I keep thinking of more things to add,

For me it is a very personal dance.
I was brought into in by my Step Father when i was getting ready to go into the Navy in 1981, at Concho Oklahoma.

Its the songs that have always drawn me to it, they are very powerfull. For when I dance I think of nothing but that moment and allow the song to come into me.

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Creewoman05

I was always wondering, but not quite sure how to ask, for curiosity's sake. Thanks for the info, I will go check it out

Camp7Kiowa

First of all Gourd Clan is a Kiowa dance. Other tribes have adopted this dance but it originates with the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. It is a warrior society dance that was performed a week or so before the Kiowa Sundance. Gourd Clan members were the police or security of the Kiowa encampment.

Today there are many Gourd Dance groups or organizations all across the US. How they got permission to start up these groups I do not know. When a man is initiated into the Kiowa Gourd Clan he doesnt necessarily have to be a vet but have high standings among the people (doctor, lawyer, business man, tribal official, or a young man from a good family) With the Kiowa Gourd Clan there is a high standard of conduct and dress that a lot of people dont like and understand. But to do things the Kiowa way means not to do it any old way (hi-gah-hain)

The Kiowa Gourd Dance songs are sung in a specific order from beginning to end. This order of songs is always sung. There are family or individual songs song also in honor of those families or individuals.