Bringing a newborn to her first PowWow

wickedannabella · 04-21-2004, 06:48 PM

I want to bring my daughter into the circle for the first time. Should I request a special song? Is there anything special we should do? She'll only be about a month old when we do this...didn't know if there was something special we should do?

04-21-2004, 07:06 PM

i really wouldnt bring her into the circle at that age just yet because thats like giving yar own child to the creator...but thats my own thoughts..the first time i was brought in the circle i was a toddler so thats the perfect age to bring yar child in-becca

**eucheefolife** · 04-21-2004, 08:00 PM

yea i agree with hidastawmn your daughter is a little young to be brought into the circle i think you should wait until she is like 1 or 2 be 4 you bring her in but thats just my 2 cents

04-21-2004, 09:57 PM

well i heard when the baby can walk into the circle her self thas the best time

**ojibwaysweetie** · 04-21-2004, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedannabella

I want to bring my daughter into the circle for the first time. Should I request a special song? Is there anything special we should do? She'll only be about a month old when we do this...didn't know if there was something special we should do?

Howcome you don't go to your elders and ask about this?
To those of you who are giving your answers here:
Your answers may be the right way to do that within your tribe's beliefs and ways, but every tribe has their own way of doing this sort of thing....following their own nation's way of traditions. I would say the best answer here would be to go speak with your elders from your tribe and ask them as the way we all do things is traditionally and tribally specific.

04-21-2004, 10:41 PM

i agree i was jus sayin thas all no harm done....''lol

**bahnisiain** · 04-21-2004, 10:58 PM

i have seen infants as young as a few days old being brought into the circle. at one pow wow, one infant, i think she was 2 weeks old, was danced around the circle with a special song. it was an introduction of the circle and the baby. i think bringing your infant is your decision.

**Kiwehnzii** · 04-21-2004, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedannabella

I want to bring my daughter into the circle for the first time. Should I request a special song? Is there anything special we should do? She'll only be about a month old when we do this...didn't know if there was something special we should do?

Will he/she be coming out as an Inuit dancer or a Hochunk style? There's plenty of HoChunk people in Chicago to ask. Inuit people are a little harder to find.

powwowbum49 · 04-21-2004, 11:29 PM

Not to mention that the Inuits are not powwow people and there for do not have traditions concerning this type of thing, unless they were going to relate something else over to this new thang called powwow.

Another thing to consider are the traditions of the area you are planning on doing this in. You might greatly offend some folks if you are at a Nish dance and carry your baby into the arena, but then if you are in OK when you do it...doubt anyone would say anything.

**Azhe'ni** · 04-22-2004, 09:25 AM

I was gonna say what sweetie said. But also I agree with the other ladies. I was taught that way too. But you should go and ask your elders cuz your tribe might do it a different way.

TacO5000 · 04-22-2004, 09:31 AM

My Son was honered when he was a few months old and my Siggie, Also had an Honor Song sung sung for him to welcome him to the family. I guess it depends on your tribes and thier belives.

Soohkiisimsstaan · 04-22-2004, 12:28 PM

Though they don't have pow-wows as part of their tradition, I'm sure the Inuit must have some type of potlatch celebration. I agree with the other ladies about checking within your own ancestral tradition and going by that. And blessings on your new little one!

WhoMe · 04-22-2004, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powwowbum49

. . . . . relate something else over to this new thang called powwow.

Another thing to consider are the traditions of the area you are planning on doing this in.

___

bum:

I totally agree about powwow being a new thing. Especially if it is an intertribal powwow. New protocol is being invented each new powwow season.

Traditional dances are in a separate category.

Bringing a child into the dance circle should actually be done at traditional dances. This way it strengthens community bonds and acknowledges the child as part of that community or tribe.

Just remember though. . .

Not all tribes have a formal ceremony for this act. Also powwow is new to some people and regions.

As the old addage goes . . . when in Rome . . .

wickedannabella · 04-22-2004, 06:07 PM

I've asked three different people and gotten three different answers regarding this issue. Doesn't seem to be any set protocol for this type of thing. It's not her FIRST DANCE - which is a whole other set of rules including a giveaway, but I just didn't know if there was anything for her first time being at a dance, in the circle that should be honored.

She'll be with me when I dance, I guess t

04-21-2004, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
wickedannabella Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: chicago, IL Posts: 48	Bringing a newborn to her first PowWow I want to bring my daughter into the circle for the first time. Should I request a special song? Is there anything special we should do? She'll only be about a month old when we do this...didn't know if there was something special we should do? __________________ I'd rather live on the side of a mountain than to wander through canyons of concrete and steel...

04-21-2004, 08:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
eucheefolife +++da 1 n only+++ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: oklahoma Posts: 1,254	yea i agree with hidastawmn your daughter is a little young to be brought into the circle i think you should wait until she is like 1 or 2 be 4 you bring her in but thats just my 2 cents __________________ You got me lifted shifted higher than a ceiling And ooh wee it's the ultimate feeling You got me lifted feeling so gifted Sugar how you get so fly?¿? **Mary had a little lamb but grandma butchered it**

04-21-2004, 09:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
bl@ckfoothoney Guest Posts: n/a	well i heard when the baby can walk into the circle her self thas the best time Last edited by blackfoothoney; 04-21-2004 at 10:00 PM.

04-21-2004, 10:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
bahnisiain Eastern Blanket Dancer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: CT Posts: 1,775 Blog Entries: 2	i have seen infants as young as a few days old being brought into the circle. at one pow wow, one infant, i think she was 2 weeks old, was danced around the circle with a special song. it was an introduction of the circle and the baby. i think bringing your infant is your decision. __________________ Bahnisiain www.myspace.com/bahnisiain

04-21-2004, 11:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	Not to mention that the Inuits are not powwow people and there for do not have traditions concerning this type of thing, unless they were going to relate something else over to this new thang called powwow. Another thing to consider are the traditions of the area you are planning on doing this in. You might greatly offend some folks if you are at a Nish dance and carry your baby into the arena, but then if you are in OK when you do it...doubt anyone would say anything. __________________ PB49 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.

04-21-2004, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
hidatsawmn26 Guest Posts: n/a	i really wouldnt bring her into the circle at that age just yet because thats like giving yar own child to the creator...but thats my own thoughts..the first time i was brought in the circle i was a toddler so thats the perfect age to bring yar child in-becca

04-21-2004, 10:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
bl@ckfoothoney Guest Posts: n/a	i agree i was jus sayin thas all no harm done....''lol

04-22-2004, 09:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
Azhe'ni Shuut uup..are ya serious Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,338	I was gonna say what sweetie said. But also I agree with the other ladies. I was taught that way too. But you should go and ask your elders cuz your tribe might do it a different way.

04-22-2004, 09:31 AM	#11 (permalink)
TacO5000 shesaysshelikesmy Dougie! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 587	Babies are Blessings My Son was honered when he was a few months old and my Siggie, Also had an Honor Song sung sung for him to welcome him to the family. I guess it depends on your tribes and thier belives. __________________ Dayum I make some keen DrumSticks!!!!!!

04-22-2004, 12:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Soohkiisimsstaan Kootsaakiiyi'taa Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: look for the tipi with blue crows Posts: 316	Though they don't have pow-wows as part of their tradition, I'm sure the Inuit must have some type of potlatch celebration. I agree with the other ladies about checking within your own ancestral tradition and going by that. And blessings on your new little one!