I am now 65 years old & I grew up in a small Oklahoma town occupied by many of the Osage tribe. My grandparent’s property joined the Indian Reservation there. Since I spent the majority of my younger life with my grandparents I grew up sleeping in their “summer house” ( a screened in room outdoors). During the summer there was often a POW wow going on weekends in the summer. They would dance all night. We would attend the pow wow & then go to bed & I would fall asleep listening to the drums. My fondest memory of my childhood. After I was grown I found out that I am part Cherokee.
I am also part Cherokee, but never got to the reservation since most did not feel safe to reveal themselves. I missed most of my heritage, except how to handle the woods, snakes, and plants. I grew up in the Appalachians.
@bchlovr SAME! But I’m 48 & we share a similar amazing experience!My grandparents lived along the bayou in St. Mary Parish and upon the invention of lab made chemical pesticides, the pilots in their 2 seater open cockpit crop duster planes would wait till dusk to spray and it’d blow into the summer house so they’d stopped using the sun porches for the kids at night by the time I was around. But we could hear the Chitimachas at festival and I raced bikes with some of their kids and the rez dogs would run with us through the sugarcane. Glorious memories I’m incredibly grateful for. Thank you for bringing these memories back today.🙏🙏🙏 Absolutely AMAZING Grass Dancing video here too eh WOW!!!!!!
If you don't know, when the tribes traveled in the old days, they would send the young men out to choose a camping spot. The young men would dance the grass flat for the people to arrive. Grass dancers are the best.
Oh really? that's so interesting! :) I was under the (apparently mistaken) impression they were like hunters or something. lol. But that explanation makes more sense I guess. Thx for sharing :)
I am learning about my heritage. When I was growing up in the state of Georgia, we wasn't allowed to learn who we really are. Before my mom's eldest brother's passing, he told me my grandparents used to live on a reservation. They left before natives was treated so badly by the government. He we're Blackfoot, Cherokee (my mom's mother) and Navajo (my mom's father). He said my grandfather was teaching us his language but, we was punished in the schools whenever we'd speak it. He was right. All I can say is, never be ashamed of who you are because of anyone. Ever.
stunning dance...what a rich culture the native Americans have...relive it...bring it back to life....let us enjoy it for decades to come....thank you. from your South African Muslim brother.
Men’s Grass Dance Much has been written about the Grass Dance. Borrowed from the Omaha tribe, perhaps in the 1860s, the dance is very popular. Dancer’s outfits feature a good deal of colorful fringe, replac- ing the grasses dancers originally tucked into their belts. Many dancers wear the hair roach, the crow-belt, and the eagle-bone whistle-originally emblems for the Omaha society. The basic step of the Grass Dance involves the ball of one foot being tapped on one beat and placed down flatly with the next, repeating the action on the opposite foot without missing a beat. Each time the foot is placed flatly on the ground, the weight isshifted to that foot. Dancersshould keep their heads moving either up or down with the beat of the drum, nodding quickly, several times to each beat, or moving from side to side. The purpose of this action is to keep the roach crest feathers spinning. To keep the feathers moving constantly is the sign of a good dancer. Although the Grass Dance is a freestyle type of dancing, dancers must follow the changing beat of the drum and stop when the music does, with both feet on the ground. The competition is divided into four categories: men, teen, junior, and little boys.
The dancer who placed #5 is my favorite. So magical seeing him personify the tall grasses, with the greens in his regalia lending credence to the comparison, and the flowing yellow tips are like sunlight on the swaying grass. Truly memorable.
We are so blessed to have these ceremonies that offer the heart and souls to our heritage and culture. For our ancestors and for many tribal generations past, present and those yet to Be. Sorry for those non-Indians who don't have those traditions passed down to them to share Our Native honor we experience and feel while enjoying such special celebration ceremonies. The Power, the Circle. We are the most important element! REZ ALL THE WAY HOME THANKS FELLOW TRIBESMEN AND WOMAN LIFE GIVERS. You honor All.
1st dancer, great rythymn, interesting footwork, good use of his body - excellent. 2nd dancer, big expressive movement, 3rd dancer, nice fluid movement, good use of the space, good footwork -- enjoyed it a lot! 4th dancer continuous movement, good footwork with the drum, expressive use of circular movement. Good job! 5th dancer, Really gets down into the low movements, good footwork, lots of energy. Liked it! All the dancers were impressive. Congratulations to all the First Nations dance competitors. it was a good competition. What do the judges look for in a Grass Dance?
In New York City in the subway Ecuadorians dress in North American Lakota tribal wear- dancing and singing in spanish while playing pan pipe flutes from Peru for money. Most people cant tell the difference and give them money and buy little dream catchers and feathers from them. Its a crazy scheme
Love watching these videos. My dad grew up on fort peck in poplar, Montana. My grandpa was head of Native American affairs and my father dated the chiefs daughter at one point. The grandest culture in the nation.
This dancing is so mesmerizing and graceful. I have loved watching since I was a child in Arizona. So glad to see these traditions continuing in the American Indian heritage.
I enjoy going to pow wow to watch all the dancers. I especially like to watch the older gentlemen that do the traditional dance. I also like to watch the women jingle dance.
Wow what an amazing culture and they give us a glance into the past and the power and pride thet have and should have !!!! Ty for gifting us with your rich history !!!
I love the singing and the drums and the dance the costumes are so intricate it must have taken so long to make them! I am just flipped through channels to find more after one is over I love it ! I’m not native but I just love it! Much respect🙏
Thanks for appreciating my culture. One thing though is that the outfits we wear are called regalia not costumes. Because costumes are something you wear when you pretend to be someone or something else. Our regalia is a reflection of ourselves and sacred. I do not Intend to be mean just sharing some info about my culture. Have a good day 😁
A southern man back in the day had his life cut short. Was world champ in grass and beyond from the stories I heard. Nobody has come close to his dance since his passing actually he's my uncle. Supernaw. But I felt when Kia cut up it was my unc inside me.
8:39 : "drops lighter" whole time after I was waiting for dude to end with some unmatchable step while picking it up 😄😄 although graceful and lovely performance by all #NativePride #MuchLove #MuchRespect from #TribuYaqui
They all are such good dancers. Making me feel better just to watch them dance. I love the rythm of pow wow dancer's. Must be that native American bloodline in me.
@@Sheyshot86 Hello Sheyenne, is there anywhere where we can see videos of your brother Kia Fiddler dancing and practising? He was my favourite of all. Thank you
My first pick didn't make it to the dance off but I was holding my breath in anticipation for the winner. I wish I could have been there to witness this.
I love watching the dancing. As part Cherokee my self an my grandma an her mother was full Cherokee. I used to go with them to Cherokee an watch the dances. Lord i miss those days.
NOW do you believe me when I say "Crip Walkin'" is merely an extension of an Ancient "Indigenous" practice? If you look closely there are some identical patterns.
Although they all did a wonderful dance they need to replace the person who did the judging cuz he doesn't know how to judge. The first dancer should've won 1st place. The fifth place winner should've been 2nd place. And the ending dance off.... the other guy should've won 3rd place.
Really for I. Wow amazing watching them all n they are all equal all num 1 . Why they all dance there own steps n movement. N really if open one can see the ullu spirit in the middle how it affects them each to there own looks amazing to see the colors flowing thru the universe n plants mother earth rainbow colors
Hi I am Chitimacha I have diabetes type 1 im 10 years old bout to be 11 on April 26 and I love living on the Rez hopefully everyone watching this video has a blessed day
That's usually how MCs are at powwow events like this. They usually know the people and the families who are participating and like to joke around for the crowd so people feel more at ease.
