Pow-wow Rules and Etiquette
All powwows involve a number of dances and ceremonies conducted in a dance circle. Think of a dance circle as an open air church and respect it as you would any place of worship.It has been prepared for blessed before the powwow (or as part of the opening of the powwow). The dance circle represents the earth and almost all dancing in the circle will be performed in a clockwise direction just as the sun goes around the earth. The Master of Ceremonies is the voice of the powwow. He will make all the announcements relating to the current dance as well as upcoming ones. He will make introductions as they are needed. Often they will tell joke and stories along the way to fill time as the dancers prepare for the next dance. Be warned that all Masters of Ceremonies know a million really bad jokes.
The Master of Ceremonies’ assistant in the dance circle is sometimes called the whipman or Arena Director. His job is to be Johnn-on-the-spot and see to it that things run as the Master of Ceremonies says they do.
Powwows begin with a Grand Entry. It is expected that all present will stand for the grand entry and remove their hats. In some cases the Master of Ceremonies will read some basic rules for the powwow and other information the organizers will wish to pass along. You should remain standing until all the dancers have entered and the Master of Ceremonies says it is okay to return to your seat.
There are other songs you will be asked to stand and remove your hat for. Some of those are Flag Songs, Veteran Songs, Memorial Songs, Prayer Songs, or any other song the Master of Ceremonies designates. As with the Grand Entry it is also customary to remove your hat for the duration of that song.
The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth and like the dance circle it has been blessed before the event. Do not touch the drum, drummers or their drumsticks without asking permission first. Any questions about the drum should be addressed to the drum’s head man. Do not ask to play the drum unless you are capable of doing so and showing the proper respect to the instrument.
At some point in the powwow there will be a call to donate money to the Drum. This is usually done during a blanket dance, when a blanket will be laid out on the circle and a song or songs will be sung. In some cases a blanket carried by two dancers will be carried around the perimeter of the dance circle. It is customary to place a dollar bill (or more if you wish) on the blanket and dance the rest of that song, regardless of if you are dressed or not (this is usually an all-present dance). If you don’t want to dance, you can ask a dancer to place the money on the blanket for you. The drum has probably come from a great distance away and this is often the only way they will have to pay their expenses.
At many powwows the first row of hay bales, benches, chairs, and the like (as well as the area immediately behind this row) are for the dancers and their relation. Always ask before taking a place that might rightfully belong to someone else. And always show respect to those around and behind you by keeping your voice to a reasonable level and try to remain out of their line of sight as much as possible. Like you, they would enjoy the chance to see and enjoy the powwow.
It is always a good idea to bring your own seating. There is almost always a shortage of seating at powwows and having could save you from spending your entire visit standing and leaving more of the existing seating available for other visitors.
There will be a seating section at the powwow reserved for the elders. It is often shaded and has many comfortable seats. At some powwows the elders area is also staffed with people to see to any of their needs such as food or drink. Respect the elders’ area and do not enter it or take a seat there unless invited to do so.
Take care not to leave behind any trash and the like in or around the circle.
Do not allow your children to play in the circle.
Never come to a Pow Wow intoxicated or bring alcohol!
Do not cut across the dance circle. Always walk around the perimeter (doing so in a clockwise direction is always a sign of respect).
Do not eat, drink or smoke in the dance circle.
Always ask permission before taking someone’s picture. If having your picture made with a dancer, show respect and do not touch or place your arm around them unless they give you permission to do so. This also applies to their costumes (or regalia). This can be hard to resist when dealing with small children (who look so cute in their costumes), but remember to have respect for all people and things.
Do not step out into the dance circle to take photographs and get in the way of the dancers. And do not touch the dancers or their costumes without their permission. At some powwows it is considered to be a sign of disrespect to take a picture of the dancers in the circle. It is always a good idea to ask before taking such pictures.
Show respect for the dancers, singers, master of ceremonies, drummers, helpers, elders and people watching. Always do as they request as soon as possible.
Many dances are only for certain groups. Please respect the guidelines for each dance. There are dances for all present such as round dances and Intertribal dances and these will be announced ahead of time if you would like to dance and share in the experience. Should you take part in a dance, remember to respect the moment and that it is an honor to be asked to dance.
If an item falls from a dancer’s regalia, they are not allowed to pick it up. Instead they usually dance in place next to the item until the whipman picks it up. All dropped items belong to the whipman and he will keep it in his possession until he is give something by the dancer in return for the item.
When an eagle feather is dropped, the powwow is stopped and a ceremony is performed before an elder is asked to pick it up. Unlike the whipman and other items, the elder will not exchange it with the dancer, but keep it.
In a Two Step dance , it is ladies’ choice as to who she shall dance with. Some tradition holds that to refuse to dance with the first person who asks you, they must give her at least five or ten dollars. The Master of Ceremonies will announce how much. The same rule often applies to a hat or shawl dance.
A Memorial dance is sometimes given for the relation of a deceased member of the Nation. All may file behind the family and a helper pass among the dancers with pins and collecting money bills. You may hand the money gift to a member of the deceased’s family to be pinned on the closest relative or left with the helper. By the end of the dance the relative of the deceased will be covered with gifts. This is a very old tradition and shows necessary respect to the passed on to the deceased and their family. There is no singing during this slow dance only the drum is played.
At many powwows there will be a camping area for those attending the powwow. Often there will be tipis and lodges set up. Unless they are specifically marked as display or demonstration areas, these structures are private homes and should be treated as such. Do not enter or touch, they are personal property.
And in closing, always remember that the first rule for attending any powwow is to have fun and enjoy the fellowship to be had there.
