PROTOCOL, BEHAVIOUR & CELEBRATION, ELDER RESPECT, WOMEN & THE BIG DRUMS, DRUMS/VOCALS, POWWOWS, DANCES, REGALIA
WHO CAN PLAY INDIGENOUS DRUMS? Some Elders are of the opinion that anyone who is non-Native should not play Indigenous drums. They claim that the hand drums are sacred and should be handled by only Native people.
For us to deny anyone the opportunity to play a hand or big drum goes against the fundamental belief systems of most Native Nations. That is, we are one human family, and therefore, sharing, caring and participating is a fundamental tenet of that sacred inter-connectedness. Besides any sane person has to realize it is is simply not logical. Remember, we do not own anything! (See next box about theft of culture). Having said that, there is protocol and behaviour that continues to proliferate. This protocol differs from tribe to tribe. WHEN IN DOUBT – ASK.
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WHEN SHARING A CULTURE BECOMES THEFT There is no question that Indigenous cultures are probably the most borrowed and appropriated cultures on the planet. I share the sentiments of those Indigenous Leaders (i.e. Lakhota) who lament the theft and distortion of their cultural practices by those who would use them to suit the latest spiritual fad. IMPORTANT POINTS:
CHARGING $MONEY$ FOR CEREMONIES
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ELDER PROTOCOL
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EXPLANATIONS OF REGALIA Bandoliers
Beadwork Breastplate Bustle Button Blanket Button Blankets are unique to the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. They are a post-European garment that was borne out of trading for Hudson Bay Blankets. Initially the buttons were sparsely sewed on, but as they became more and more available, the designs became more and more elaborate. Nowadays, the blanket is made out of blue or black duffle, and trimmed in red stroud, a heavy felt-like material that has its origins in Scotland. Moreover, in the early days, on the NW Coast, bullet casings were sewn on the bottom of the blankets so they rustled when a person danced. Nothing was wasted!! I have made five blankets so far, for family and ceremonial purposes. Photo is of me wearing a blue duffle blanket edged in red stroud. Clackers/Bells Dance Staff Feather Fan Hudson’s Bay Blanket Note: Vancouver Island was traded away for 471 blankets. The 71st blanket could have been the deal breaker! Métis sash
Moccasins
Roach Roach Pin A roach pin is a dowel that holds a roach in place. It is usually about 12 inches long and about 1/2 inch in diameter and decorated with colored tape, ribbons, and Peyote stitch beadwork. A Traditional Dancer’s pin may have several eagle fluffs tied horizontally on the end. Most roach pins have small feathers that hang off the pin that should bounce around as the dancer dances. Scalp Feathers the roach. They many be decorated with fluffs, pieces of fur, metal that are cut into the feather.
War Bonnet “The headdress is reserved for our revered elders who, through their selflessness and leadership, have earned the right to wear one. It’s a spiritual garb, not just cultural; it’s not merely an addition to one’s attire. Wearing one, even an imitation headdress, belittles what our elders have spent a lifetime to earn.” – |
Gra Dancer Jingle Dress Fancy Shawl
GENERAL ETIQUETTE FOR SINGERS, DANCERS, DRUMMERS I have been to many powwows over the years, and I always find it rather dismaying to watch of number of performers behave in an indifferent and outright rude manner towards those who approach to ask a question or to ask for a photo. They are interested in you; what you are wearing, what you are singing, what you are playing. A photograph is a memory and to show friends and family. For people visiting from other countries, they take those memories back home; they help to promote our cultures all across the globe. So, general shyness aside, stop acting like it is an imposition. You are ambassadors for your culture, smile, be friendly, it costs you nothing to be kind and of good cheer to another person. After all, you DID come in the first place all dressed up to show off didn’t you? So, why not smile while you are strutting your stuff.
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Never come to a Powwow intoxicated or bring alcohol or any other mind-altering substance! Be on time,and dressed in your regalia and ready to go before the Grand Entry. It is a sign of disrespect not to participate in the Grand Entry, and you may lose points if you are contesting! Place your blanket on the bench where you want to sit ahead of time. Nothing is worse than not having a seat after the dancing has begun! Never sit on someone else’s blanket without their permission. Dance as many dances as you can. It is in bad taste to dance only a few of the dances. At Formal War Dances, you will not be allowed to take a break until everyone does. Show respect to the Head Dancers. Do not begin dancing until they do, and honour their special status with a loonie/toonie given to them in a handshake. If you wish to honour a person, place a gift at their feet while they are dancing. If you are honoured in this way, dance in place by your gift until the Arena Director or another person picks it up and gives it to you. Never pick it up yourself. If you drop some part of your regalia, it is not customary to pick it up, although this differs from powwow to powwow. Dance in place beside it until the Arena Director picks it up for you. You will probably be asked to give something for its return to you. At some powwows, all dropped articles belong to the Arena Director. As noted above, when an Eagle feather is dropped, the powwow is stopped and a ceremony is performed to pick it up. Sometimes, an Elder is asked to pick up the feather, and h/she will keep the feather. In a Two Step, it is Ladies’ choice. If you refuse to dance with the first person who asks you, you may have to give her at least five or ten dollars (the MOC will usually say). The same rule applies to a hat or shawl dance. |
ETIQUETTE FOR THE BIG DRUM AND SINGERS Only those with permission of the Lead Singer may sit at a drum. It is a good idea to know the songs because it is often a habit to ask the “stranger” to lead a song! Be prepared. In Moonstone’s and K’ool Gyert Na Hool cases, Sandy and I share the Lead Singer/Drum role. We don’t expect people to know our songs, because they are often sung in a west coast language, Sm’algyax. We just ask them to join in the chorus and enjoy our big drums. In some most traditions, women are not allowed to play the big drum, but are allowed to sing, sitting behind the man who asked her to sing. Playing the Big Drum for women is changing (particularly for those families who have only daughters to pass the songs and teachings to). (Don’t get me started on this, I’ve already ranted enough, (see Women’s page) See Tribal Drum page. OKAY GET ME GOING ON THIS! This tiresome paternalistic post 1970s attitude by some to control the role of Native women in their own cultures and, who after years of indoctrination into Christianity have trouble with the idea that Matriarchal societies had equal gender representation in all things, simply has to stop. it is a hard road for us, but we are making progress. It is neither historically or culturally correct to ban a woman from practicing her culture wherever and whenever she so chooses. Watch Video: “The Enduring Spirit of Aboriginal Women” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyld0IRsgDw Any monetary gift to the drum is given to the Lead Drummer, Sandy or myself. It is our job to divide the gift among the rest of the drum members. Never sing too loud or over-beat. Mistakes such as these are forgiven with a monetary contribution to the Head Singer. Every one and everything passes around the drum in one direction, depending on the tribe the drum belongs to. Do not pass things over the drum. Always sing your best. Enjoy yourself, and know that without the drum, there is no Powwow. Host Drum
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EXPLANATION OF SONGS Flag Song Honouring and Honour Songs Veteran’s Song Vocable Warm-Up Song
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GIVEAWAYS Since the time of the Ancients, Native people have had a great sense of generosity that is unique among all cultures. Such generosity has developed into the giveaway, an action or even a ceremony where a person, family or organization is honored and in return gives away many gifts of high quality to their friends and the staff of powwows. This begins with a special song sung by the drummers for a particular person or people honoured, usually a family song that was composed for that family. The person or people and their friends then slowly dance around the circle, and people in attendance who feel so moved are allowed to give the people a small gift and then join the “procession.” This will usually continue for about one or two songs, when the dance will end and the people return to their seats. The person or people honored will go to the GOC/MOC’s table and have a person speak for them, who tells about the honored party and then announces the names of people whom they in turn would like to show their appreciation to. When a person’s name is called, he or she stands and walks around the arena to the MOC’s table and receives a gift, which is often a blanket or a food basket of some sort. It is always customary in a giveaway to honor the head staff and the drum, and then honor those who have helped you.
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