hobbs49

Socman in a different thread mentioned something about the "biggest powwow." It got me to thinking, does size matter when you go to a powwow? Do you prefer to go to small dances? medium sized? large? Super size my powwow?

What does small, medium and large even mean when people talk about powwows?

I've been two dances where there were multiple drums and more singers than dancers. Was that a small powwow because of the small number of dancers or was it a medium sized powwow because of the number of drums?

When going to a powwow to either participate or spectate, is it the size of the dance that matters or something else?

I'd love to hear what some of ya'll think.

they_drag_him

I like powwows that have a hometown feeling and one with a Hometown Country Buffet nearby.

hobbs49

Don't forget the Waffle House!

New2itall

My favorite was all small, super small! I loved getting to sit and visit with the "elders" as we watched the kids play. It was the kind of day memories are made of. I REALLY loved the next morning when everyone managed to crawl out of bed and we all showed up to breakfast at the hotel. Hash browns, coffee, and talking about what cousin did what!

timmy tiger

I don't really care one way or another if the pow wow is big. It's the people that matter to me. Good people means a good powwow.

I've had fun at both "Big" and "Small" pow wow's. My favorite ones are the ones where my family and friends are at and we get together afterwards and visit and have fun. And where there are alot of children running around and playing. Just my opinion.

WocusWoman

I enjoy small powwows, where everybody knows your name.... hey the Cheers theme! No really, I love the little ones, three drums, a dozen dancers, lots of spectators. Its so much more relaxed and fun to do these ones.

soopashinaab

I love a pow-wow where my wife and kids are right along side of me!! I do prefer a traditional pow-wow over a contest anytime, and no politics please. No room for egos at a pow-wow!!

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socman

My emphasis on size, as I have now mentioned in the previous thread, is for a reason of logistics. We're simply spectators, and non-ndn, and we will only be able to make two to three pow wows this year, so we simply need to make the most of our limited experiences. While I would feel totally comfortable at any size, she is rather new to this and I want to make sure she is comfortable with it. I think she would feel less out of place in a larger crowd.

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"As through this world I've wandered, I've met lots of funny men. Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen." -Woody Guthrie

hobbs49

Hey Socman, I didn't mean anything negative with my post. As I was reading that other thread, it hit me, I always hear people say, "Oh, you should go to XYZ. Now that's a BIG powwow." Heck, I've said it myself. Anyway, your comment got me wondering, what do I mean or what does anyone mean when they talk about big or small powwows and it is good or bad to big or small? So I didn't want to hijack your thread so I just started a new one here.

soopashinaab

It's all good

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socman

I didn't take it as negative at all. Just wanted to give my particular meaning of size. However I will say that the subject of "does size matter"? always makes a little nervous.

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"As through this world I've wandered, I've met lots of funny men. Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen." -Woody Guthrie

gtbdave

I recently attended the "Gathering of Nations Pow Wow", which is billed as the largest Pow Wow. It had it's problems. Parking cost $10, is blocks from the Pow Wow, and provides no security or lighting, and is in a chigger invested field. Our new car was used as a dressing table for some dancer, with large scratches left in the paint job. There was no place to sit when you buy food, you have to be pretty hardy to attend a large pow wow such as Gathering. The crowd was SRO, at 17K, and really, there was no place to sit, many, even elderly, were forced to stand, if they wanted to get their money's worth, even as many seats were vacant with ony blankets and junk used to reserve such seats, which should never be allowed. I left after the crowning of Miss Indian World, as there was no place to sit. Hardly getting my money's worth, and having traveled near 1000 miles to attend. I hardly think that Albuquerque has the talent and ability to put on such a large event, they lack the organization ability and the right kind of facilities. I think that Oklahoma City's "Red Earth" is a better Pow Wow, having attended both. It has indoor parking, secure parking, elevators, and a much larger facility, able to accomodate parking, concessions, vendors, shows, etc., all indoors. I guess larger is not always better, and I still enjoy attending small, local, powwows, such as the Ottowa PowWow in Miami, Oklahoma. I have also attended the Tulsa PowWow, which is excellent, all around, and the Choctaw Pow Wow, another indoor arena PowWow, which has intrusive and overbearing security, by that I mean, rentacops coming around telling people to put their camera equipment away. Overall, in my experience, I would say that "Red Earth", and "Tulsa PowWow", are excellent large venues and the smaller ones are probably excellent, for their size.

hobbs49

Sorry to hear about your trip gtbdave! I haven't been to GON before. Only "big, supersize" dance that I can recall was Denver March when I lived out there. I think since I lived in the area it was easier for me than other visitors. But I do remember having to sit rather high up and not really being able to see very well. That's likely why I don't appreciate the big contest dances that much either.

gtbdave