Women standing behind the drum

WhoMe · 05-30-2008, 04:02 PM

Say there is a good gourd dance and a set of really good songs are sung. This draws a group of women to the drum and they stand around the drum. Some sing and some are just there 'cause the spirit moved them.

Is it okay to be there in the first place? Is it okay to walk in front of the male gourd dancers and dance in place in front of them?

Whatcha' think?

Zotigh · 05-30-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoMe

Say there is a good gourd dance and a set of really good songs are sung. This draws a group of women to the drum and they stand around the drum. Some sing and some are just there 'cause the spirit moved them.

Is it okay to be there in the first place? Is it okay to walk in front of the male gourd dancers and dance in place in front of them?

Whatcha' think?

Maybe they are tope-day-mah-yo? :D

Never seen Kiowa women do any of those things.

Ivanasnagu · 05-30-2008, 07:39 PM

A few years ago an elder Kiowa woman got after a couple of young women and told them: 1) if you want to chorus, bring a chair and SIT behind the drum; 2) if the song moves you and you want to stand and sing, stand up but wear your shawl; 3) wear your best as if you are going to church.

She was disappointed that day because some women in shorts walked out to the drum to stand and sing. I guess the bottom line, show some respect. She's gone on now, I sure miss her and her ways.

timmy tiger · 05-31-2008, 12:29 AM

I'm not Kiowa, but one of my best friends is and I was at one of the dances there in OK a few years back and it was awesome. But I never saw what you are talking about. She's younger then I am and was very firm on how it should be and made sure that her young (pre-teen) girls knew what was what. The way that I understand it is that the women stand behind the men and they ALWAYS wear a shawl, even when my friend would stand up where we were sitting (outside of the circle) she would grab her shawl to dance in place there. And she made sure that her girls did the same thing.

Zotigh · 06-22-2008, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanasnagu

A few years ago an elder Kiowa woman got after a couple of young women and told them: 1) if you want to chorus, bring a chair and SIT behind the drum; 2) if the song moves you and you want to stand and sing, stand up but wear your shawl; 3) wear your best as if you are going to church.

She was disappointed that day because some women in shorts walked out to the drum to stand and sing. I guess the bottom line, show some respect. She's gone on now, I sure miss her and her ways.

Wow...that is a good elder Kiowa woman you describe!

I hope she pulled their ears, too. Misery loves company and that's what my g'ma did. hehe

Good words, Ivana. Thank you for sharing that story.

05-30-2008, 04:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties Posts: 5,560	Women standing behind the drum Say there is a good gourd dance and a set of really good songs are sung. This draws a group of women to the drum and they stand around the drum. Some sing and some are just there 'cause the spirit moved them. Is it okay to be there in the first place? Is it okay to walk in front of the male gourd dancers and dance in place in front of them? Whatcha' think? __________________ "Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe

05-30-2008, 07:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ivanasnagu Junior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 171	Old School A few years ago an elder Kiowa woman got after a couple of young women and told them: 1) if you want to chorus, bring a chair and SIT behind the drum; 2) if the song moves you and you want to stand and sing, stand up but wear your shawl; 3) wear your best as if you are going to church. She was disappointed that day because some women in shorts walked out to the drum to stand and sing. I guess the bottom line, show some respect. She's gone on now, I sure miss her and her ways.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ASU POWWOW Afterparty & 49 Drum Contest	dirtydevil	Pow Wow Talk	0	04-16-2008 12:38 AM
American Indian Ancestry Traced Back to Six Women	ndnangel49	News	3	03-13-2008 05:27 PM
Standing Rock woman to lead Indian studies at USD	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	0	01-17-2008 12:39 AM
Native American Women Veterans	melissa_blackbull	Native Issues	18	04-30-2006 01:27 AM

05-31-2008, 12:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
timmy tiger Head Dancer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: where ever there are babies or children you can find me Posts: 17,729 Blog Entries: 4	I'm not Kiowa, but one of my best friends is and I was at one of the dances there in OK a few years back and it was awesome. But I never saw what you are talking about. She's younger then I am and was very firm on how it should be and made sure that her young (pre-teen) girls knew what was what. The way that I understand it is that the women stand behind the men and they ALWAYS wear a shawl, even when my friend would stand up where we were sitting (outside of the circle) she would grab her shawl to dance in place there. And she made sure that her girls did the same thing.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)