ojibwaysweetie

When the big drum was given there were specific directions with it; one of these was that Woman is the protector of the Drum, for the Men to play and them to protect.

This is why they stay behind us while we sing.

Its a shame that some would choose to buck tradition; unless they have the OK from an Elder, or something, they should keep their responsibility as the Creator saw fit to give it to them.

You don't see guys trying to give up seats or stand outside the Drum to sing... It's not our way.



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Good answer

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Josiah

Very well put
Traditions have been handed down for generations
Why should we be the Generation to break that

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tsuj510

I agree, this is the way I was raised.

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Because of our treaty status, the distinction of being 'Cherokee' is a status of citizenship, not a racial issue.

legalstraight

I see a lady with a stick and the arena is gonna see my back as I head to my car

Coyot_In_The_House

Certain groups or singers pop in my mind....I certainly respect what was said, but what about groups like Little Boy, Ironwood, Cathedral Lakes, Black Lodge, Snake River, Indian Nation, Red Leaf Takoja, Native Thunder......The list goes on....All of these groups have or have had women sitting at the drum....These are respected groups.....I suppose the answer lies with the particular group and i'm sure there is a reasoning for it.

What i'm getting at is yes we generally understand why, but do we really know why? I've taken the time to sit and visit with some groups and ask why....I was enligtened and came to respect what was shared with me.

There is certainly more to it then just saying no its not right.....There are situations that are questionable, no doubt, but in some instances if we dig a little deeper it may shed some light on how we view things.....

badmaninc

Dude, what's wrong with you, we aren't supposed to logical we are supposed to be emotional and sometimes downright unreasonable. Kiddin' I like your answer.

Josiah

Ok I will ask

What was shared with you that would make sense for a woman to sit at the drum...

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SuzzeQ4

I won't sit at a big drum, my eyebrows would raise at this. But there are a few good reasons. One I know of a children's drum where the Moms sit & help their young boys. Shouldn't the Men be doing this? Yes but sometimes a community doesn't have the healthy Men needed to do this, so the Women make sure the culture is passed on.
Back in the days of P4W some of us from the community would go in & sit withe the sisterhood in there. They had permission from the Elders to sit at a big drum, cause in there there are no Men. I learned to sing in there, they knew lots of good old songs. I have sung behind them & when asked I sat with them. Here on the outside I stand behind the drummers. But in there I respected their requests. I will drum hand drum & have even been learning water drum from my husbands Elder. But I think that is different then the big drum. Like I said out here I would never sit at the big drum. When it comes to others, I ask why, then decide how I feel about what they are doing. Keep in mind we are all different Nations & Elders from some areas are giving permission for different things. Of course there are those who do things without asking the Elders in their community but that usually becomes obvious by their lack of knowledge.

LakotaSiouxper

OMG!!!! THIS IS NOT OK!!! Fist off ... I am Lkaota and I was raised to know that even though powwow is changing you need to respect it and the rules of it.... just because you have new people using our ways and adopting our dance styles doesnt mean that they can change everything and disrespect the way things have always been at powwow... Women have a place at the drum and it is behind the men supporting them by singing...wether its behind your husband or another male family member...I was also raiised that we do not touch the drum or drum sticks and that if we do the drum needs to be taken care of and prayed for... also I now live in AZ where the girls here back up sing behind anyone and everyone.... they dont know any respect or rules.... they drum hop all over.... and dont kno when to sing and when not too...they sing because they weant attention ...not to be supportive...they try to out sing the men and sing way to long....it is very frustraiting...they dont even listen when being told what and what not to do....most of these girls have only been singing for a year or 2 and have never asked to learn they just do whatever they want....

SuzzeQ4

I think most of us Women are saying we won't sit at the big drum. The other thing I wouldn't do is tell another Nation or community that they should do things the way my community does. It's also good that a number of us are essentially saying this also. It;s good to say "no way, not my teachings" but if we expect all of our Nations to have the exact same teachings etc. then we are no better then mainstream society. And as we travel into different areas we need to respect these differences. We keep telling people that we are different Nations with different ways lets remember this ourselves.

LakotaSiouxper

YES BUT... powwow is not everyones way...they are new to it...I wouldnt come down here to the HOPI VILLAGES and take their kachina dances with me to South Dakota and do them what ever ol way I wanted to...you have to respect the ways of the people who gave the dances to you.... respect the way you are supposed to be around that drum...they are taking anothers ways and should ALWAYS remember that and be respectful....my husband is Navajo and Hopi and very traditional...they do things very different here...I go by their ways when Im here because this is theirs..... I wouldnt be disrespectful.... there are reasons for all the ways we do things.... if you are new to powwow learn the right way before you jump in and just start doing....

SuzzeQ4

agreed. anyone who is new to something needs to take a step back and learn first, which i guess brings up a good point about the big drum. But take the old P4W for an exaample of an unusual circumstance, no men, so I don't think the Elders weren't disrespecting where the drum comes from, I think they were using their wisdom based on a specific situation, meaning OK for them, but not for everyone.